Election day in Nigeria is a national event. Schools close. Businesses shut. Movement is restricted. Here is what to expect on January 16, 2027.
Before Voting:
- •Inter-state travel is banned from midnight the night before until polls close
- •Sale of alcohol is prohibited
- •Security forces are deployed nationwide
- •INEC officials set up polling units from 7:00am
At the Polling Unit (8:30am - 2:30pm):
- 1.Join the queue at your designated polling unit
- 2.Present your PVC for verification using the BVAS machine
- 3.Your fingerprint and face are scanned for biometric verification
- 4.If verified, you receive ballot papers
- 5.Go to the voting cubicle (screened area)
- 6.Mark your chosen candidate by thumbprinting next to their name/logo
- 7.Fold the ballot and drop it in the ballot box
- 8.Your finger is marked with indelible ink to prevent double voting
After Voting (2:30pm onwards):
- 1.Polling unit closes at 2:30pm — anyone already in the queue can still vote
- 2.Ballot boxes are opened and votes counted publicly at the polling unit
- 3.Results are recorded on INEC Form EC8A
- 4.Results are uploaded to the IReV portal for public viewing
- 5.Results are collated at ward, LGA, state, and national levels
Result Announcement:
- •State results are announced by Returning Officers
- •The Presidential result is announced by the INEC Chairman in Abuja
- •Results can be challenged in court within 21 days
Your vote is sacred. No one can see how you voted. The cubicle is private. Exercise your right without fear.