In an attempt to guide the electorate towards making good electoral decisions at the polling booths across the nation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a procedure for voting in the next month’s general elections.
The procedure, which is in seven steps and meant to serve as guide to voters, was posted on the electoral umpire’s website, www.inecnigeria.org .
According to INEC, the seven steps are:
Step 1:
Upon arrival at the polling unit, join the queue and present yourself to the INEC official (APO111) at the polling unit who will then determine whether you are at the correct polling unit and also checks if the photograph on the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) matches your face. If satisfied, he/she will direct you to the next INEC official (APO1).
Step 2:
The official (APO1) will request for your PVC to confirm that your card and details are genuine, using the smart card reader. He/she will ask you to place your finger on the card reader to confirm that the PVC belongs to you. The card reader will contain the names, photographs and finger prints of all those registered in each of the polling units.
Step 3:
You will then meet the next official (APO11) who will request for your PVC to confirm that your name and details are in the voters’ register. Your name will be ticked and your PVC returned to you. He/ she will then apply indelible ink to the cuticle of your appropriate finger to show that you have been accredited to vote. (If your name is not found on the register, you will not be allowed to vote).
Step 4:
The presiding officer (PO) stamps, signs and endorses the date at the back of the Ballot Paper. The PO will roll the ballot paper inwardly with the printed side inwards and give to you. He /she will then direct you to the voting cubicle where you will vote in secret.
Step 5:
You will stain your appropriate finger for the election with the ink provided, then use your stained finger to mark the space or box provided on the ballot paper for your preferred candidate/party. After that, roll the marked ballot paper (in the manner the PO gave it to you).
Step 6:
Then, leave the voting cubicle and drop the ballot paper in the ballot box in full view of people at the polling unit.
Step 7:
You will then leave the polling unit or wait if you so choose in an orderly and peaceful manner to work the process up to declaration of result.
N.B. The result of each polling unit shall be pasted at the unit for everyone to see.
