What happens at a polling unit? A step-by-step guide to voting in Nigeria

Sekinat Osundiji

A polling unit is where voters go to cast their ballots during an election. It is also where election officials verify voters’ identities, issue ballot papers, and count votes after voting ends.
For many Nigerians, understanding what happens at a polling unit can help them prepare for election day and know what to expect when they arrive to vote.
Here is how the process works.

Voters arrive at their polling units

On election day, registered voters go to the polling units where their names appear on the voters’ register. They are expected to check their polling unit before leaving home to avoid going to the wrong location.
At the polling unit, officials o...