2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS - THE VOTING PROCESS

THE VOTING PROCESS

By Hon. Emma Asie

(Mr E on the Mic)

The general elections are here again. 

This 2023 election is unique in many ways 

1. It is the 7th cycle of general elections (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)

2. It is  the 2nd election in which the incumbent president will not be on the ballot (first was in 2007, with Obasanjo)

3. It is the first to use BVAS (Biomodal Voters Accreditation System), I-REV (Instant Results Viewing portal) and electronic transmission of results.

4. It has the highest number of registered voters (93.469m) and the highest number of expected voters- people who have collected their PVCs (87,207m).

5. It is the first election with the largest involvement of  active youths (over 50m voters between the ages of 18 to 34)

6. It has the highest volume of internet, social media and technology engagement. Over 40% of Nigerians use internet , with 70% of this value accessing it at least once a day

7. It is the first general election to be conducted in the middle of a major change in the country s legal tender and monetary policies (cash withdrawal limits). Also with a crippling fuel crises and with the ruling party and it's governors at open war against and defiance of the President. 

February 25 (President and National Assembly elections) and March 11 (Governorship in 28 states and Houses of Assembly elections) are indeed key dates for Nigeria.

But as you go out to vote, kindly note these essential information below. 

Condition to be allowed to vote. 

1. Must be 18 years and above

2. Must have PVC

3. Must be a Nigerian

4. Must appear in person at the appropriate PU where he or she registered. 

5. Must be on queue at the  appropriate PU within the stipulated time (latest 2.30pm).

VOTING PROCEDURE

1. Time- Opens 8 am. Accreditation starts 8.30 am. Stops when the last person on queue before 2.30 pm has been accredited. Accreditation and Voting goes same time.  

2. Queue up, Official will check your PVC to be sure you are at the right centre. 

3. Accreditation - When it gets to your turn, an official will collect ur PVC, insert it into the BVAS and  ask you to place your thumbprint on the BVAS for accreditation. If Thumbprint fails, facial recognition will be used.

If that fails, then it will be tried 3 times and after the 3rd one, You will not be allowed to vote again. 

If BVAS accredited you, then another official will look for your name on the voters list and tick it and also write it down in their voters schedule register. 

Then put indelible ink on your nail or cuticle. 

Another official will issue you 3 stamped, signed  and dated  ballot papers (each clearly marked PRESIDENT, SENATE or HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ) and you will be directed to go to the Voting cubicle. 

Note that u must not collect more than 3 for this Saturday. 

For March 11 depending on your state, u may be given 1 (HoA only)  or 2 (HoA and Governor)

4. Voting- while you are allowed to come with your phone to the PU and to video proceedings, you are however not allowed to go with your phone into the voting cubicle. An official will collect it from you and return it to you after you have voted. 

Inside the cubicle,  use either  your thumb or forefinger to dab the InkPad and then put it in the empty space against your preferred party. Ensure that it doesn't cross over to another party space. 

Fold each ballot papers vertically (like closing a book) not horizontally (up to down). 

Then go and drop it openly in the ballot box. 

Congrats you have done your part as a Nigerian!

You may decide to wait for counting later but you must stay atleast 30 meters away from the centre and must be peaceful.

4. Sorting and counting

When the last accredited person has voted, the PO will pour out all the ballot papers in full view of the party agents.  Then count them to ensure they correspond with the number of accredited voters on the BVAS and on their manually Written voters schedule register. Then sort each according to the parties voted. 

Then he will openly display and loudly count the number of votes each party got and declare the party with the highest votes, as the winner at the PU. 

The Result will be entered into form EC8 and the party agents will sign. Then the PO will snap a picture of it and upload it to the BVAS.  Party agents are also allowed to take pictures. 

If there is internet, The BVAS will transmit the result immediately to the I-REV and INEC data base. But if no network, it will be in offline mode and will transmit when the PO gets to an area with better network. 

Note that the BVAS is built to take  and upload only ONE picture of the result sheet. No room for multiple pictures so ensure that there is adequate lightening for clarity.

Dos and Don'ts

Ensure at the beginning of the exercise that the BVAS reads zero to prevent over voting. 

Once there is over voting in any PU, the entire results of that PU will be cancelled.

Also avoid vote selling and buying, plainclothes policemen are everywhere monitoring!

Don't go to the PU with arms or with any weapon.

Don't wear the clothes, face cap, wristband, muffler or any item that shows the logo or name of any political party or candidate to the PU. You will be arrested instantly and prosecuted (penalty is N100,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment).

Above all, be peaceful, orderly and obey the officials

Be Patient, it will surely get to your turn 

Have a successful and peaceful voting exercise!!