How to Vote in Nigeria: Election Day Step by Step (2027)

Voting in Nigeria takes only a few minutes once you are in front of the INEC officials — if you know what to expect. Here is what happens at the polling unit, from accreditation with the BVAS machine to counting and results.

📋 Before election day

• Collect your PVC — it is the only card accepted.
• Know your polling unit — it is printed on your voter details; you can only vote at your own polling unit.
• Plan your movement — vehicle movement is usually restricted on election day, so check how far your polling unit is.
• Check the time: INEC has used 8:30am to 2:30pm in recent elections, and anyone already on the queue at closing time still votes. Confirm the 2027 hours closer to the day.

🗳️ At the polling unit

1. Join the queueArrive early. Elderly people, pregnant women and people with disabilities are usually attended to first.
2. Get accreditedAn INEC official checks your PVC and your face or fingerprint on the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) device. Your name is ticked on the register.
3. Collect your ballot paperFor each election you get a ballot paper, stamped and signed by the presiding officer.
4. Vote in secretGo into the voting cubicle and use your inked thumb to mark the box of ONE party. Mark only one box, inside the box, or the vote may be rejected.
5. Fold and dropFold the paper so your mark is hidden and drop it in the right ballot box for that election, in full view of everyone.
6. Stay for the count if you likeYou may stay at a peaceful distance to watch the counting.

🧮 How results are counted

Votes are counted at the polling unit in public. The result is written on the result sheet (Form EC8A), announced, and a photo of it is uploaded to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) so anyone can see it online. Results are then collated at ward, LGA and state levels before the final declaration by INEC.

🚫 Don’ts

• Don’t sell your vote or take money for it — vote buying and selling are crimes.
• Don’t take photos of your marked ballot or use your phone in the voting cubicle.
• Don’t wear party clothes or campaign at the polling unit.
• Don’t come with weapons or cause trouble — report any problem to the security officials or INEC staff.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to vote in Nigeria?

Only your Permanent Voter Card (PVC). You vote at the polling unit where you registered.

What time does voting start and end?

In recent elections INEC used 8:30am to 2:30pm, and voters already on the queue at 2:30pm were allowed to vote. Confirm the 2027 times from INEC before election day.

What is BVAS?

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System checks your identity with your fingerprint or face before you vote, and is used to upload polling unit results.

Where can I see polling unit results?

On INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV), where photos of the polling unit result sheets are uploaded.

Written by the askJBoss team from public information and our own research; last updated November 2026. Prices, dates and rules change — always confirm with the official source. Spotted something that has changed? Tell us in the comments.