Introduction: This article will help you understand the Voting Procedures during an election. Remember that you are qualified to vote if you are a registered voter and you name appears on the register of voters at your polling unit. You must also present yourself at the polling unit.

 Your right as a voter

On each Election Day, you have the right to:

• Access the polling station
• Receive information on the voting procedures from the poll officials
• Vote in secret.

Opening of the Polling Units

On each election day, polling units will open for Accreditation and Voting from 8:00am to 2.00pm. However voters already on the queue before the close of poll at 2.00pm  will be accredited and allowed to vote.

 Voting Procedure

Voting at the polling unit will be as follows:

Step 1:Upon arrival at the polling unit, join the queue.

Step 2:The Polling Official will request for your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and check if the photograph on the PVC matches your face. Then he/she will check if your name is on the register for that polling unit.  He/she will also use the card reader to confirm the status of the PVC. After this, he/she will check your fingers to ascertain that you have not voted before.

Step 3: Satisfied that you have been duly verified, the INEC Official will tick against your details in the register.

Step 4:  After verifying your PVC, the INEC official will return it to you. Indelible ink will be applied on the cuticle of your finger as a further proof that you have voted.

Step 5: The INEC Official will stamp the back of the ballot paper and endorse his/her signature on it.

Step 6: The INEC Official will then fold the ballot paper vertically with the printed side inwards before giving it to you.

Step 7: At the polling booth, you will then stain your appropriate finger for the election with indelible ink.

Step 8:  You will use your stained thumb to mark the section provided on the ballot paper for your preferred candidate/party.

Step 9: You will fold the marked ballot paper vertically with the printed side inwards before dropping it in the ballot box.

Step 10: You will then leave the polling station.