Election Manual 2022-Final-Draft As at 17TH Aug. 2022
Election Manual 2022-Final-Draft As at 17TH Aug. 2022
Election Manual 2022-Final-Draft As at 17TH Aug. 2022
The organisation and conduct of election in a challenging environment require election duty
officials with the knowledge and skills to deliver on the expectations of the electorate, the
Commission and the numerous election stakeholders. Over the years, we have witnessed
tremendous improvements in the way and manner we conduct elections. In all these elections,
the Commission kept refining and improving its processes and procedures to continue with the
task of ensuring the credibility of the electoral system in Nigeria. This Manual is part of the
continuous efforts of the Commission to improve on the credibility of the electoral process,
including the review the Procedure for Elections to conform to the requirements of the Electoral
Act 2022 and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 Protocols.
In 2015, when the use of technology for the accreditation of voters was at its infant stage, voters
were subjected to separate periods for accreditation and voting. By 2019 the Commission
reviewed the Voting Procedure to allow for Continuous Accreditation and Voting, thus
assisting voters to cast their votes with minimal delay and in a less cumbersome manner.
Such developments and innovations informed the desire for improved training and re-training
of personnel involved in the delivery of electoral services at all levels. These will enable
officials to imbibe the right knowledge, skills and attitude needed for the discharge of credible
electoral duties, based on the laws and guidelines governing the conduct of elections; which
are simplified in the Manual for Election Officials. Hence, this Manual is the reference book
for election officials and other stakeholders.
I, therefore, recommend this publication for use by all categories of election officials and other
stakeholders in the process.
The Electoral Institute also appreciates the contributions of Members of the Board of The
Electoral Institute; the S. A. to Hon. Chairman INEC, Prof. Mohammed J. Kuna (for reading
the proofs and adding the bit on the EMSC); Director-General TEI, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris for
providing leadership to the Manual Review Committee and guidance; and Dr. Binta Kasim
Mohammed, Director Training (who drove the review process).
Other members of the Manual Review Committee: Engr. Chidi Nwafor, (Director ICT), Mal.
A.T. Yusuf (Director E-Ops), Dr. Ibrahim Sani (Director Research and Documentation), Victor
Aluko (Director Voter Education and Publicity), Tunde Ojedokun (Ag. Administrative
Secretary, TEI), Ifeanyi Agoha (Deputy Director, Training), Paul Ayaeze, (Deputy Director,
Voters Registry), Dr. Eborty, Emmanuel (DD Human Resource Mgt), Anthony Ezomo (Asst.
Director, Training), Ajayi Babatunde (Asst. Director, ICT), Festus Aisien (Asst. Director Voter
Registry), Samuel Omale (Asst. Director, Legal), Yakubu Ishaku M. (Asst. Director P&M),
Suleiman A. Gambo (Chief Admin. Officer HRM), Oje S. Bolaji (Chief Admin. Officer EOPs),
Victoria Ogbo (Chief Admin. Officer, G & I), Magdalene Aku (Chief Admin. Off. VEP),
Okoye Adaeze (Asst. Chief Admin. Officer EOPs), Okorie Cynthia (Chief Admin. Officer),
Adesoji Abiodun (Asst. Chief System Analyst), Iloabuchi James (Prin. Legal Officer),
Kingsley Magbuin (Snr. Legal Officer) Ayeni Olajire Julius (SPO) Engr. Zaharadeen Usman
(Snr. Engr, ICT), Olalekan Akogun (Snr. Admin. Off.), Bala Ato Agyo (PDPO I), and Blessing
O. Elemson (PAO) - Secretary to the Manual Review Committee) as well as all other staff of
the Training Department are also appreciated and commended for their individual and
collective efforts at enriching the manual with relevant contents in line with electoral laws.
Special thanks to Mr. John Irem the resource person to the Manual Review Committee, Mr.
Seray Jah (Country Director, IFES), Obaje Ukeh, and Judith Abiem-Toryem of IFES for
providing Technical Support.
CHAPTER ONE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1.0 Introduction: Elections and the Electoral Process in Nigeria
1.1 Mandate of the Commission.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1.2 Types and Date of Elections .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1.3 Polling Units and Collation Centres .. .. .. .. .. ..
1.4 Eligibility Criteria for Voters .... .. .. .. .. … …
1.5 Appointment of Presiding and Assistant Presiding Officers .. . ..
1.6 Method of Voting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
CHAPTER TWO .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2 Stakeholders .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2.1 Persons Allowed into the Polling Stations/Polling Unit and Collation Centres on
Polling Day .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2.2` Role of Security Agents .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2.3 Appointment of Polling Agents .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2.4 Role of Election Observers .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2.5 Role of Accredited Journalists .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2.6 Media Interviews .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
CHAPTER THREE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
3.0 Election Procedures .. .. .. .. .. .. … ..
3.1.0 Preparing for the Polls.. … … … … … … …
3.1.2 Locating the Polling Unit
3.1.3 Registration Area Centres (RACs)/Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) ..
3.1.4 The Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC)… … … … …
3.1.5 Handling Persons with Disabilities…… … … … …. … …
3.1.6 Voting by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)… … … … … …
3.2.1 Setting Up Procedure.. … …. …. … … … … …
3.2.2 Setting up the Polling Unit.. … … … … … … … …
3.2.3 Accreditation and Voting at Appropriate Polling Unit .. … … …
3.3.0 Polling Procedure.. … … … … … … … … …
3.3.1 Accreditation and Voting … … … … … … … …
3.3.2 Opening of Polls … … … … … … … … …
3.3.3 Close of Polls at PU … … … … … … … … ….
3.4.0 Sorting, Recording and Counting of Ballots. .. … … … … ….
3.4.1 Preparing for Ballot Sorting.. … … … .. … … …
3.4.2 Sorting of Ballots.. … … … … … … … … …
3.4.3 How to Record Votes on Form EC8A series .. … … … … ….
3.4.4 Counting and Recording of Votes … … … … … … ….
3.4.5 Packing Up… … … … … … … … … … …
CHAPTER FOUR .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. …
CHAPTER FIVE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5.0 MISCELLANEOUS .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5.1 Conflict Prevention at the Polling Unit/Voting Point … … … …
5.2 Electoral Offences and Penalties .. .. … … .. ..
5.3 Tips for Poll Officials on Basic Security in Election Duties (BaSED) ….
5.4.0 NCDC Protocols on the Covid-19 Pandemic in Training of Election Officials…
5.4.1 The SARs-CoV-2 2019
5.4.2 Voter Code of Conduct (VCC) for Elections During Covid-19 Pandemic… ….
5.5.0 General Health Safety Measures for Election Officials
5.5.1 Polling Unit Health Tips… … … … … … … ..
5.5.2 Handling Health Materials at the Close of Poll… … … … …
5.5.3 Health Safety Tips at RACs… … …. … …. … …
5.5.4 Health Safety Tips at Collation Centres… … … … … …
5.5.6 Health Tips for Post-Election Activities… … … … … …
5.5.6 Monkey Pox… … … … …. …. … … …
5.5.7 First Aid Measures for Snake/Scorpion Bite … … … … ….
5.5.8 Bleeding… … …. … … … … … … …
5.5.9 Diarrhoea
APPENDICES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
I FORM EC 17 OATH/AFFIRMATION OF NEUTRALITY .. .. ..
II FORMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2022 Manual for Election Officials xi
FORM EC 8A (1) STATEMENT OF RESULT OF POLL FROM POLLING UNITS…
FORM EC 8B UMMARY OF RESULTS FROM POLLING UNITS COLLATION AT
REGISTRATION AREA LEVEL .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 25 B: ELECTORAL MATERIAL RECEIPT/REVERSE LOGISTICS ..
FORM EC 25 B (i) : ELECTORAL MATERIAL RECEIPT/REVERSE LOGISTICS
FORM EC 40 A: BALLOT PAPER ACCOUNT AND VERIFICATION STATEMENT
FORM EC 40 B: STATEMENT OF REJECTED AND SPOILT BALLOT .. ..
FORM EC 40 C: STATEMENT OF USED AND UNUSED BALLOT PAPERS ..
FORM EC 40 D: UNDERTAKING WITH REGARDS TO IMPERSONATION ..
FORM EC 40 E: AUTHORITY TO REMOVE PERSONS MISCONDUCTING
THEMSELVES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 G: SUMMARY OF REGISTERED VOTERS OF PUs (ELECTION NOT
HELD/CANCELED) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 G (1): SUMMARY OF REGISTERED VOTERS OF PUs
(ELECTION NOT HELD/CANCELED) .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 G (2): SUMMARY OF REGISTERED VOTERS OF PUs
(ELECTION NOT HELD/CANCELED) .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 G (3): SUMMARY OF REGISTERED VOTERS OF PUs
(ELECTION NOT HELD/CANCELED) .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 H: PWD VOTER INFORMATION AND STATISTICS (PUs) ..
FORM EC 40 H(1): PWD VOTER INFORMATION AND STATISTICS
(PU SUMMARY) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 H(2): PWD VOTER INFORMATION AND STATISTICS
(RA SUMMARY) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 H(3): PWD VOTER INFORMATION AND STATISTICS
(LGA SUMMARY) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 H(4): PWD VOTER INFORMATION AND STATISTICS
(STATE SUMMARY) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
FORM EC 40 H(5): PWD VOTER INFORMATION AND STATISTICS
(NATIONAL SUMMARY) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
POLLING UNIT STAFF DETAILS .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
POLITICAL PARTY AGENTS ATTENDANCE REGISTER .. .. ..
SECURITY PERSONNEL .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
ACCREDITATED ATTENDEES .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
An Election Manual provides basic operational instructions and guidance on principles and
procedures for the conduct of elections. In this Manual, The Electoral Institute has packaged,
in a most simplified manner, the provisions of the laws and guidelines governing the conduct
of elections in Nigeria for use by election officials at all levels.
The review of the current manual is borne out of the need to incorporate the legal requirements
of the Electoral Act 2022. The Commission’s policy on conducting elections in context of the
COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies is still retained in compliance with the PTF
protocols. The manual contains four chapters, each having sub-sections for ease of
comprehension by users. In Chapters One and Two, the Manual identifies the categories of
personnel for elections and their duties as well as explains in detail the Election Procedures
with illustrations, including infographics to acquaint users with practical ideas about Polling
Unit layout and design. These chapters also highlight the inter and intra-working relationships
between and amongst personnel at Polling Unit level as well as the vertical levels of results
collation, which provide for synergy and coherence in the role of personnel, involved in the
elections.
In Chapters Three and Four, the Manual deals with the duties of Collation and Returning
Officers. These categories of officials, together with Presiding Officers, superintend over
election results management, which constitute the core mandate for the assessment of the
fairness and credibility of electoral process; which also contributes to sustenance of the
Commission’s integrity and national pride. It is for this reason the Manual provides useful
insight into some likely scenarios and offer helpful suggestions on suitable ways for managing
them; including tips on conflict prevention and basic election security techniques for poll
officials. It is also necessary to take cognizance of the boxed Notes where vital pieces of
information about the Manual are placed for emphasis.
It is the hope of The Electoral Institute, that thorough reading and application of this Manual
will help election officials deliver on the Commission’s mandate of free, fair, credible and
inclusive elections.
Mission
To serve as an independent and effective Election Management Body (EMB) committed to
the conduct of free, fair and credible elections for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
Vision
To be one of the best Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in the world that meets the
aspirations of the Nigerian people.
Guiding Principles
The principles that guide INEC in the fulfilment of its Vision and Mission are:
TRANSPARENCY: Openness in all activities and in relations with stakeholders, the media,
service providers and the people of Nigeria.
INTEGRITY: Demonstration of high moral standards and honesty in all dealings with
the people of Nigeria.
EXCELLENCE: Promotion of excellence and ensuring that merit remains the basis for
the recruitment and compensation of staff.
(a) General Elections: Election to the office of President and Vice President, as well as
National Assembly, shall hold on the 3rd Saturday in February, of any General Elections
year; while election to the office of Governor and Deputy Governor as well as members
of the State Houses of Assembly, shall hold two (2) weeks thereafter or as may be
determined by the Commission;
(b) Off-cycle Elections: Any Governorship election that falls due outside a General
Election, the election shall hold on the Saturday following the 100th day to the end of the
tenure of the incumbent, or as may be determined by the Commission.
(c) FCT Area Council Election:
(i) Whenever the end of tenure of FCT Area Councils coincides with a General Election
year, election into the office of Chairman and Vice Chairman and Councillors of the Area
Councils shall be held with the election for Governor and Deputy Governor and the State
Houses of Assembly.
(ii) Where the end of tenure of FCT Area Councils does not coincide with a General Election
year, the election to the office of Chairman and Vice- Chairman and Councillors of the
Area Councils shall hold on the Saturday following the 100th day to the end of the tenure
of the incumbent, or as maybe determined by the Commission.
(b) Where is a Polling Unit located? Polling Units are located within enclosures in public
places, accessible to every voter; including Persons with disabilities (PWDs). These
public places include public schools, civic centres, town halls and communal open
spaces. Canopies may be provided for Polling Units located in open spaces;
(c) What is a Collation Centre?: A place designated by the Commission where election
results are computed and tabulated for each political party and winners of election
declared;
(d) Where are Collation Centres Located? Collation Centres are located within enclosures
in INEC Offices or LGA/Areas Council Offices, accessible to designated election
officials, party agents, observers and media; including Persons with disabilities (PWDs).
NOTE 2:
Voting shall be in accordance with the Continuous Accreditation and Voting System (CAVS)
procedure as specified in the INEC Regulations and Guidelines 2022 and the Election Manual,
and any other Guide issued by the Commission.
(a) Integrity;
(b) Impartiality;
(c) Transparency;
(d) Professionalism;
(e) Gender sensitivity; and
(f) Due consideration and support for the elderly, pregnant women, nursing mothers and
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
2.1.2 Roles and Responsibilities of Election Officials
(b) Local Government Area (LGA CO) – collates and announces results from the various
Registration Areas/Wards for the LGA/Area Council, State Assembly, Governorship,
National Assembly and Presidential Elections (at the LGA/Area Council levels).
Completes Forms EC 40H(3) – PWD Voter Information and Statistics. He/She shall also
be the Area Council Returning Officer in the elections to Area Councils in the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT)
(c) State Constituency CO – collates and announces results from all the RAs/LGAs within
a State Constituency for the State Assembly Election. He/she shall also be the State
Constituency Returning Officer in the State House of Assembly Election.
(d) Federal Constituency CO – collates and announces results from LGAs within a Federal
Constituency. He/she shall also be the Federal Constituency Returning Officer in the
election to the House of Representatives.
(e) Senatorial District CO – collates and announces results from LGAs within a Senatorial
(f) State CO – collates and announces results from all LGAs within a State in the
Presidential and Governorship Elections. He/she shall also be the Returning Officer in
the Governorship Election. He/she completes Forms EC 40H(4) – PWD Voter
Information and Statistics.
(g) Chief Electoral Commissioner – collates and announces the results from all the states
of the Federation in the Presidential Election and is the Returning Officer in that election.
This shall be the Chairman of INEC or his delegated Representative. He/she completes
Forms EC 40H(5) – PWD Voter Information and Statistics.
(d) State Technical Supervisor - Coordinates and supervises technical issues at the State.
(e) State ICT Supervisor - Coordinates and supervises all ICT activities in the state during
an election.
2.1.2.6 Electoral Operations - CSRVS Technical Support: These are permanent staff of the
Commission deployed at elections as Collation Support and Result Verification Secretariat
(CSRVS) charged with the responsibility of providing support to the Collation/Returning
officers on Election Day at the various levels of collation. However, the deployment of the
Collation Support Secretariat (CSRVS) is dependent on the types of election. Hence the
designations are defined on the basis of the category of Collation as follows: National Collation
Support Secretariat for presidential Elections (NCSS), Senatorial District Collation Support
Secretariat (SDCSS), Federal Constituency Collation Support Secretariat (FCCSS), State
2.1.2.7 Registration Area (RA), Local Government Area (LGA)/Area Council and
Constituency Supervisors
These are Permanent Staff of INEC deployed by the Operations Department of the Commission
to Supervise the conduct of the election at RA, LGA/AC, and Constituency levels.
2.1.2.8 Monitors
These are Permanent Staff of INEC deployed by the Planning and Monitoring Department of
the Commission to monitor the conduct of the election at RA, LGA, and Constituency levels.
NOTE 3:
(a) The SPO should ensure that all sensitive and non- sensitive materials and
personnel are complete in their right quantities and numbers.
(b) The SPO has no right to replace anyone without the express permission of
the Electoral Officer (EO)
b) Election Duties: On the day of every election, the SPO is expected to perform the
following:
(i) Distribute polling unit election materials to the Presiding Officer in his/her area of
supervision;
(ii) Confirm that vehicles, boats, security agents, election materials, and Poll Officials are
available and ready for movement to Polling Units at 5 a.m;
(iii) Ensure that all Poll Officials depart their RAC/Super RAC early enough to arrive at
their respective polling unit before 7.00 am;
(iv) Supervise the orderly movement of staff and materials to Polling Units, with Poll
Officials posted to the farthest Polling Units leaving first;
(v) Undertake regular visits to Polling Units under his/her supervision to address issues
during the period of elections;
(vi) Keep your phone line on and be available at your area of responsibility throughout
Election Day.
(vii) Make and receive calls to and from the EOSC to report/ascertain the situation of things
on Election Day.
c) Post -Election Duties: The SPO is expected to perform the following:
i) Before close of Polls, confirm that vehicles/boats are available to convey Poll Officials
and election materials to Ward/Registration Area Collation Centre and subsequently to
INEC LGA/Area Council Office. This is to prevent Poll Officials from boarding
unauthorised vehicles.
ii) Ensure that Results of the Poll for designated Polling Units (EC 8A series) are delivered
to the Registration Area Collation Officer (RACO) by the Presiding Officers.
iii) Ensure the delivery of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) to the
Registration Area Collation Officer (RACO) by the Presiding Officer and retrieve it
NOTE 4:
i. The Presiding Officer may have a person who is acting in a disorderly manner or fails to
comply with lawful order removed from the Polling Unit; and
ii. A Candidate can represent himself/herself as a Polling Agent in the Polling Unit/Collation
Centre as long as no other Polling Agent is accredited for the party at that unit or centre.
(c) Assistant Presiding Officer (APO) II: Register-Check, Inking and Statistics
i) Assists with the collection of election materials from the SPO;
ii) Confirms that voter’s details in the PVC are contained in the Register of Voters and
ticks the appropriate box(es) by the voter’s name before polling;
iii) Request that a prospective voter removes his/her face masks for proper
identification when necessary;
iv) Applies indelible ink on the appropriate finger of the voter before polling;
v) Completes Forms EC 40H – PWD Voter Information and Statistics (PU). Where
applicable, write “F” or “M” to indicate gender;
vi) Assists in the preparation and sorting of the ballots;
vii) Fills Publication of Result Poster – EC.60(E) for Presiding Officer to sign, date and
2022 Manual for Election Officials 9
post/paste; and
viii) Assists with the return of the election materials to the SPO at the close of poll
(d) Assistant Presiding Officer (APO) III: Queue Controller and PVC Check
i) Ensures orderly queuing of voters;
ii) Removes all campaign materials, if any, from the Polling Unit;
iii) Conducts Voter/Peace education before the commencement of poll;
iv) Arranges separate queues for men and women in areas where the mingling of men
and women in the same queue is not allowed;
v) Creates a separate queue for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs);
vi) Determines that the voter is at the correct Polling Unit; upon inspection of the PVC
held by the voter if the APO III discovers that the PVC is not for the Polling Unit,
the APO III will advise the voter to proceed to the appropriate Polling Unit; and
vii) Confirms that the voter has not voted anywhere by inspection of the cuticle of the
fingernails if satisfied, direct the voter to the APOI.
2.2.1 Persons Allowed into the Polling Stations/Polling Unit and Collation Centre on
Polling Day:
The following shall be allowed into the Polling Unit/Collation Centre on Polling Day:
(a) Security Agents;
(b) Candidates or their accredited Polling Agents;
(c) Accredited Domestic and Foreign Observers;
(d) Accredited Journalists/Media;
(e) Voters (at Polling Units where they are registered ONLY); and
(f) INEC Officials on Election Duty.
NOTE 5:
Security Agents are not allowed to:
(a) interfere with polling procedures, counting of the ballots, or the collation and declaration of
result; and
(b) handle any election material or, in any way, interfere in the conduct of the polls or counting
of ballots.
NOTE 6:
(a) The notice of appointment as a polling agent shall contain the names, addresses and recent
passport photographs of the polling agents and the respective Polling Units or Collation
Centres to which they have been assigned and to be submitted not later than 14 days before
the election. Any notice sent in late will be rejected;
(b) Only a Polling Agent whose name had been submitted to the Commission in the prescribed
manner shall receive a copy of the result sheet at a Polling Unit or Collation Centre;
(c) The names of the Polling Agents for a Polling Unit should be sent by the EO to each PO before
polling begins. Also, a candidate can stand as his/her Polling Agent at any Polling Unit or
Collation Centre;
(d) Polling Agents shall comply with lawful directives issued by or under the authority of the
Commission or its officials including directive to leave the Polling Unit or Collation Centre,
whenever and wherever necessary;
(e) A Polling Agent who aids and abets election malpractices at a Polling Unit or Collation Centre
shall be disqualified and on the instruction of the Poll Official/ Collation Official shall be
removed from the Polling Unit/Collation Centre and shall be liable to prosecution; and
(f) Party Agents are not allowed to:
(i) interfere with polling procedures, counting of the ballots, or the collation and declaration of
results;
(ii) handle any election material or, in any way, interfere in the conduct of the polls or counting of
ballots;
(iii) hold media interviews within the Polling Unit.
NOTE 7:
Observers are not allowed to:
(a) Handle election materials or interfere in the conduct of poll or counting
of ballots or wear the badge or symbol of any political party; or
(b) Hold media interviews within the Polling Unit.
APRONS/VESTS
BALLOT BOXES
60 Ballot Box with Green Lid
Ballot Box with Black Lid One (1) Per PU
To be Returned at
Ballot Box with Red Lid
Close
Sample PVC
FRONT VIEW BACK VIEW
The INEC Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is a system that allows for voter authentication
using fingerprint and facial recognition technology. The BVAS comprises of software and hardware
components. It is also used to scan and upload PU result sheet which will be visible to the public on the
INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal: www.inecelectionresults.ng
6
1 3 7 11
45 9
2
8
A B
Fig. 12: Bimodal Voter Accreditation System - Used for Voter Accreditation
(b) Software component: The BVAS runs on Android OS with the relevant software for the
various functions it is designed to perform installed.
Step 2: Enter the username and password on the BVAS login screen and tap
on the LOGIN button (At this point, the system immediately activates
the device camera and prompts the operator to capture his/her face);
and
Step 3: Click on the ‘ACCREDITATION’ button to verify the voter. The Voter’s
information is displayed (Fig 18) as below:
Step 1: Clean the BVAS with the prescribed disinfectant wipes after every use;
Step 2: Click on the voter’s image displayed on the screen of the BVAS as shown in fig above
and then click ‘VERIFY’ to initiate the authentication process. Two options are
available for voter’s authentication (fingerprint or facial authentication), as seen in fig.
19 below;
(i) To Verify Fingerprint: This option activates the Fingerprintscanner (on some devices,
it prompts to allow access to fingerprint scanner first) in readiness to authenticate the
fingerprint of the voter. Click on the Verify Fingerprint icon to activate the fingerprint
scanner (Click ‘OK’ if prompted to allow access) and request thevoter to place his/her
finger on the fingerprint window on the BVAS to authenticate the voter. If it fails, re-
click Verify fingerprint to re-attempt. If it fails after 3 attempts, use the ‘Verify Photo’
option to authenticate using the facial of the voter;
(ii) To Verify Photo: This option activates the device camera to capture a photo of the
voter for facial authentication. Click on the Verify Photo icon to launch the Camera
and capture a passport photo of the voter (preferably a smiling face). The BVAS will
automatically compare the captured photo with the voter’s photo on the BVAS and
will return a verification successful message if it successfully authenticates (Figure
XX). Click ‘Return’ to continue.
Step 3: Click ‘Accredit another’ (Figure X and X) to return to the dashboard and continue
with the next voter on the queue. The Accredited voters increments as more voters
are successfully accredited. Figure XX
Fig.25: BVAS Dashboard displaying Total number of accredited voters. Notice that
accredited voters has changed from 0 to 1 after a successful accreditation.
At the end of accreditation and voting, the accreditation data is uploaded to the INEC backend.
This requires availability of a data service which is usually provided by the SIM inserted in the
BVAS. The Export Data tab under the Elections tab on the BVAS application’s Home Screen
is used to upload all accreditation data to the INEC backend.
Step 1: Click on EXPORT DATA in fig. 23A to upload the accreditation data.
Step 2: Select Network on the pop-up to upload to the INEC backend as shown in Fig. 23B
Step 3: Wait for the data to upload to 100% as shown on Figs. 23 C. Click on CONTINUE
on Fig 23 D to complete the process.
LOGOUT
Fig. 24: LOGOUT- Tap on the LOGOUT button to exit the BVAS application.
At the completion of polls, the presiding officer (PO) completes, signs, dates and stamps the
Polling Unit (PU) result sheet(s). These results are then scanned and uploaded to a centralised
database using the BVAS device. The results will then be published to the IReV after it has
been validated at the RA Collation Centre by the RATechSS on approval of the result by the
Collation Officer.
Step 4: Select “Upload document” on the Election type you want to upload. There
may be more than one Election type depending on the Election(s) taking
place on the day of Election;
Step 5: Click “Choose File” and select “Camera” to scan/snap the completed result
sheet for the Election type to be uploaded. Scan the result sheet as shown in
Fig. XXX
The validated PU result(s) sheet(s) uploaded by the PO will be available for public view on the
web address https://www.inecelectionresults.ng. The portal is accessible anywhere by the
public. An account is required to be created by users to access the uploaded contents on the
portal.
The Centre has national operational structure, having secretariats in the 36 INEC State Offices,
including the FCT. Trained focal Desk Officers (DOs) for the EMS, ERM and EOSC, known
as EMSC Desk Officers, have the following responsibilities:
(a) EMS DO
(ii) Monitors the EMSC dashboard;
(iii) Uses provided reporting and communication tools to facilitate data collection;
(iv) Uses the reporting formats for EPP Calendar of Activities, Green, Amber, Red Zone to
prepare report in line with the reporting periods;
(v) Ensures validation of reports by task owners;
(vi) Transmits and uploads reports to HQ EMSC Secretariat, as directed by the REC or
Administrative Secretary; and
(vii) Functions as Secretary to the EMSC State Secretariat.
(b) ERM DO
(i) Monitors ERM state indicators for internal and external threats/risks;
(ii) Liaises with ICCES and CSOs to gather threats/risks data;
(iii) Prepares reports on threats/risks for Green, Amber and Red Zones; and
(iv) Ensures available threats/risks reports for Green, Amber and Red Zones reporting periods
are uploaded to the dashboard.
(c) EOSC DO
(i) Monitors EMSC Red Zone activity schedules;
(ii) Receives data from the EOSC in the standard format and updates the dashboard with
threat and compliance indicators on RAC Activity, Continuous Accreditation and Voting
and Collation using the standard format; and
(iii) Prepares and submits summary reports on RAC Activity, Continuous Accreditation and
Voting as well as Collation using the standard format.
(b) Best practices towards the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in electoral and
political processes
The inclusion of persons with disabilities in the electoral and political processes must be done
holistically from the time of registration to accreditation and actual voting:
(i) Presiding Officer’s should ensure that the election environment can easily be accessed
by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to participate in the process by making sure that
accreditation desks, ballot box and voting cubicles are placed on level ground to for essay
accessibility of the Polling Unit by PWDs especially those on wheelchair as well as those
with low mobility;
(ii) Understand who a person with disability is and the different types of disabilities;
(iii) Presiding officers should endeavor to paste the written instructions (Poster EC30PWD)
at the Polling Unit to ensure that persons with hearing impairment/deaf are able to follow
through the voting procedures;
(iv) It is necessary to understand that most persons with hearing impairment are hard to
identify. Conscious effort should be made by PO to identify and allow these people vote.
This can be done by making general announcement prior to the commencement of the
process for these persons to be identified;
(v) POs should ensure the secrecy of the ballot especially for visually impaired/blind voters,
every vote cast by a blind or visually impaired person should be properly guided and
submitted appropriately to avoid cancellation of such ballot paper;
(vii) Ensure that PWDs are identified and given priority during Registration or voting in
accordance with Commissions policies;
(viii) Presiding Officers should ensure that visually impaired persons who can read Braille are
given the Braille Ballot Guide to cast their vote when provided; and
(ix) A Person with Albinism or visually impaired should be given the magnifying glass to
enable to enable them cast an independent vote.
(c) Correct way to mark a ballot by the Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs)
➢ After verification and authentication of your the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) by the
INEC Official to ensure it belongs to the VIP, the INEC Official will stamp the back of
the ballot paper and endorse signature;
➢ The INEC Official will insert the ballot paper into the Braille Ballot Guide and give to
the Visually Impaired Person (VIP);
➢ Indelible Ink will be marked on the cuticle of the VIP finger as proof that he/she has
voted; and
➢ The VIP will proceed to the Voting Cubicle, then use one finger to trace the acronym
of the Political Party of his/her choice and use the other finger to stain with the stamp
pad and neatly thumbprint on the perforated area of the Braille Ballot Guide for his/her
preferred Political Party.
(i) The PO shall allow a voter who is visually impaired or with other forms of
disability, who is unable to distinguish symbols or who has any other physical
disability to be accompanied into the Polling Unit and be assisted to vote by a
person chosen by him/her, other than an Election Official, a Polling Agent or a
(ii) Visually Impaired registered voters may, where available, use the Braille Ballot
Guide or magnifying glass; and
(iii) No person shall accompany a voter to the voting area or assist a voter in marking a
ballot paper, except as specified d(i) above.
For ease of operations, IDPs that will participate in elections should be identified
and classified on the basis of location namely, Intrastate (internally displaced
persons within the state) and Interstate IDPs (internally displaced but hosted in
another state).
(a) Election category:
Intrastate IDPs shall participate in all election categories when and where
applicable, while interstate IDPs shall only participate in presidential elections in
order to limit the challenges associated with suspicion over transmission of results
across state borders and constituency boundaries.
NOTE 9
(a) The Presiding Officer shall allow a voter who is visually impaired or is unable to distinguish symbols
or who suffers from any other physical disability:
(i) To be accompanied into the Polling Unit and be assisted to vote by a person chosen by him/her, other
than an election official, polling agent, or security personnel, on election duty; and
(ii) Where available, visually impaired/blind registered voters may use the Braille Ballot Guide or
magnifying glass.
(b) PWDs, Visibly Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers and Elderly Persons shall be granted priority
access to voting at the PUs.
NOTE 10:
(i) No voting by proxy.
(ii) No IDP shall be accredited to vote at any PU other than the one to which
he/she is assigned based on the PVC; has his/her name in the registers of
voters; he or she presents his/her PVC; his/her identity verified by the
BVAS or as otherwise determined by the Commission.
(iii) All other polling procedures: close of poll at the PUs, sorting and Counting
of ballots; Recording of Votes on EC8A series, Export data, pack-up and
reverse logistics etc shall be as specified in the current edition of Manual
for Election Officials.
NOTE 11:
Where there are no Polling Agents or Observers present, the Poll Officials shall go ahead with
the steps above.
On Election Day, accreditation and voting shall commence at 8.30am and close at 2:30pm or
as maybe determined by the Commission, provided that all voters already on the queue by
2:30pm shall be allowed to accredited and vote.
NOTE 12:
In introducing the Poll Officials and explaining the Polling Procedure, the Presiding Officer
shall call the voters together and request the APO III to read out loudly the following Voters’
Code of Conduct in a firm and polite manner as follows:
4. We are about to commence polling now, as it is already 8:30am and we shall end at
2:30pm.
5. This is the ballot box(es) that will be used for the election. As you can see, it is empty
(Display it to the crowd and close and seal the box(es)
6. Also, this is the BVAS which is devoid of any previous data (Display it to them as well)
7. There shall be two queues (an outer queue and an inner queue). The inner queue is in the
voting area while the outer queue is in the waiting area for people who have come to
vote. (At this point, the APO III shall bring voters into the inner queue in manageable
batches)
8. Any registered voter who joins the queue before or at 2:30p.m. would be accredited to
vote. However, any voter who comes after 2:30p.m. would not be allowed to join the
queue to vote.
9. The voting process is a continuous accreditation and voting system, i.e., as you are being
accredited, you proceed to vote immediately.
10. If your name is not in the Register of Voters and you do not have a Permanent Voters
Card (PVC) you will not be accredited to vote.
11. If the BVAS does not read your PVC, you will not be accredited to vote.
12. If in process of accreditation the BVAS does not recognise any of your fingers, do not
panic, facial recognition can be used to verify and accredit you to vote, after which you
will be issued with a stamped, signed and dated ballot paper.
14. When casting your vote, make sure that you thumb print in only one box of your chosen
party.
15. Please check your PVC to make sure you are in the right PU, if it is not, please, you are
advised to go to your appropriate polling unit.
16. All COVID-19 protocols as issued by the NCDC shall be observed in this PU. The use of
unbranded face masks is what is acceptable here. Make yourself available for temperature
checks and also, 2-meter distancing between voters must be maintained. If a person is
showing symptoms, he/she will be politely requested to leave the queue or voting area and
shall be attended to by the designated officials.
17. Do not take your phones or any photographic device into the voting cubicle.
18. Do not show your vote to anyone and do not accept money for your vote.
19. Fold ballot paper vertically inward after thumb printing, flatten and slide in to the ballot
box. This is to ensure that your thumbprint does not smear on another party and render your
vote invalid and to ensure the secrecy of your choice.
20. Please cooperate with us so we can complete this exercise in good time. Obey all directives
issued by election officials, including security officials and be orderly at all time. INEC
shall not tolerate assault of any election official and you may be protected for doing so.
21. Now, let us form the designated queues and remain orderly as we commence the process. A
queue for PWDs , visibly pregnant women, nursing mother and aged) these category of
people will be given priority access before others.
22. I hereby declare the Polling Unit open for accreditation and voting.
NOTE 13:
i) Any person without a face mask shall be requested to leave the voting area.
ii) Social distancing of two (2) metres, that is six (6) feet, shall be maintained by
everyone present at the Polling Unit
iii) Separate the queue between men and women, where religion or culture does not allow
the mingling of men and women.
iv) Provide a separate queue for the PWDs, pregnant women, nursing mother, and the
aged. This category of voters shall be granted priority access to voting at the Polling
Unit.
NOTE 14:
i. Verification means that the voter’s information is found on the BVAS.
ii. Authentication means that a finger-print or face of the voter matches his/her
biometrics on the BVAS.
iii. Appropriate finger refers to any of the fingers of the voter captured during Voter
Registration.
iv. Where the voter has no fingers but she/he has been accredited facially by the BVAS,
he/she shall continue with the voting process.
v. Where the BVAS cannot authenticate the finger-print or the facials, the voter will not
be allowed to vote.
vi.
Where the voter is a VIB, the PO shall provide him/her the Braille Ballot Guide or
magnifying glass, as the case may be and allow the voter who is virtually impaired or with
other forms of disability, who is unable to distinguish symbols or who has any other physical
disability to be accompanied into the Polling Unit and be assisted to vote by a person chosen
by him/her other than an Election Official, a polling agent or a security personnel on election
duty
P RESIDING O FFICER SIGNS , STAMPS A ND D ATES THE B ACK O F P RESIDING OFFICER HANDS OVER VERTICALLY FOLDED BALLOT
B ALLOT P APER P APER T O V OTER
NOTE 16:
(a) After a voter casts his/her vote, a security personnel shall ensure that the voter leaves
the voting area taking every personal item, and if he/she intends to observe the
counting of votes and announcement of result, shall move to the designated area for
that purpose; and
(b) No person shall accompany a voter to the voting area or assist a voter in marking a
ballot paper, except as specified in the Regulations and Guidelines 2022.
Scenario D:
Where a BVAS is replaced during polling, the data of verified voters in the
malfunctioning BVAS shall be merged with data in new BVAS for purposes of
determining the number of verified voters.
NOTE 19:
a) All the first duplicate copies (Electoral Operations Copy) of Form EC 8 series
(Statement of Result of Polls, Collation and Declaration of Results of Elections) at
various levels are for the Commission and should be handed over to the
RA/LGA/State/Constituency Supervisors for documentation at the EOPs
Department. Non-compliance shall be treated as dereliction of duty.
b) Second duplicate copies are to be handed over to the Police and subsequent copies to
Party Agents present at the Polling Stations.
NOTE 21:
ISSUES OF OVER-VOTING AND RECONCILIATION OF FIGURES
a) Where the total number of votes cast at a Polling Unit exceeds the number of
accredited voters at the Polling Unit, the result of the election for that Polling Unit
shall be declared null and void, and a report in that regard shall be made to the
Collation Officer.
b) Where after a crosscheck and recount, the total sum of spoiled ballot papers, rejected
ballots and valid votes is not equal to the total number of used ballots, an anomaly
exists, and the Presiding Officer shall submit a written report to the RA/Ward
Collation Officer.
c) The RA/Ward Collation Officer shall examine the report of the Presiding Officer on
any discrepancy in ballots and votes and further attempt to reconcile the figures.
Where the figures cannot be reconciled, the RA/Ward Collation Officer shall make
his/her own report to the LGA Collation Officer, attaching the Presiding Officers’
Report.
d) For a Polling Unit where election is not held or is cancelled, or poll is declared null
and void in accordance with the Regulations and Guidelines 2022, the Presiding
Officer shall report same in writing to the RA/Ward Collation Officer explaining the
nature of the problem and the Collation Officer shall fill Form EC40G as applicable.
(b) If a Presiding Officer notices any ballot paper without the official watermark and stamp,
he/she should immediately escalate and act on further instructions received by him/her;
(c) In computing the spread factor for Elections to the office of the President, Governor of
a State, or Area Council Chairman (in the case of the FCT Council Elections), the
Returning Officer shall use the total valid votes cast at the Elections; and
(d) Refusal of any Candidate or Polling Agent to countersign Form EC.8A series will not
invalidate result of the Poll.
NOTE 23:
The number of used ballot papers (a+b+c in (c) Step 3) plus the number of unused ballot
papers should be equal to the total number of ballot papers issued to the Polling Unit.
a) Where the sum of the total number of spoilt, rejected, valid votes and unused ballot
papers, does not equal the total number of ballots received, carry out a thorough check
and recount.
b) Where an anomaly exists, the PO shall inform those present of the problem, then
enter the votes scored by each of the political parties and the other information in
the affected FormEC.8A series and write the words "ANOMALYEXISTS" across
the form and submit a report along with the ballot papers and the Form EC. 8A (1)
to the RA/Ward Collation Officer after thorough reconciliation.
c) Where the total number of votes cast at a Polling Unit exceeds the number of
accredited voters at the Polling Unit, the result of the election for that Polling Unit
shall be declared null and void, and a report in that regard shall be made to the
Collation Officer.
i. Where the result of poll is rendered null and void, the PO shall write the words
"NULL AND VOID" across the affected Form EC.8A series;
ii. Where the result of poll is rendered null and void, the PO shall state the nature
of the problem and ensure that this is delivered to the RA/Ward CO; and
iii. A Polling Agent/Candidate may request a recount. However, such a recount
shall be done only once.
NOTE 25:
i) In order to remain focused on their assignment, Collation Officers are not allowed to
make or receive telephone calls during collation.
ii) In determining the Electoral two-thirds (2/3) requirement for candidates contesting for
Executive positions, such as the President, Governor of a State, or Chairman of Council
(in case of the FCT), the Returning Officer shall be guided by the approved
computation template for calculating the Electoral two-thirds (2/3) for the position in
question.
NOTE 26:
(a) Where there is any discrepancy in a result submitted by a Presiding Officer to
the RA/Ward Collation Officer as verified from the result transmitted or
transferred directly from the Polling Unit, the RA/Ward Collation officer shall:
i) Request explanation(s) from the Presiding Officer(s) concerned about the
circumstances of the discrepancy;
ii) Locate the point of discrepancy, resolve the discrepancy using the electronic result
and request the Presiding Officer to endorse the resolution; and
iii) Make a report of the discrepancy to the next level of collation.
Collation at RA/Ward Level where Election extends to the following day in some
PUs: Where at a Polling Unit, accreditation and voting are to continue the following day
on account of the non-availability of a required replacement BVAS, the RA/Ward
Collation Officer shall:
i. Inform the Polling Agents and stakeholders at the Collation Centre of the situation.
ii. Collate the available results from the unaffected Polling Units.
iii. On conclusion of (ii) above, proceed immediately to the LGA/Area Council Collation
Centre where the results from (ii) above shall be saved until the following day, when
the RA collation shall resume, including the results of the affected polling units; and
iv. Inform the LGA/Area Council Collation Officer of the situation, who shall then proceed
with the Collation of the results of the unaffected RAs/Wards.
Step 1: Take delivery of the original copies of Forms EC8D from the State/FCT Collation
Officers, together with other materials and reports relating to the election, including
Form EC40G(II); and EC40H(IV), where available;
Step 2: Collate the votes scored by each political party from Forms EC8D, received from
State/FCT Collation Officers, into Form EC8D(A) and enter the votes scored by
each Political Party, in both figures and words in the spaces provided;
Step 3: Add up the collated State/FCT results to obtain the national summary;
Step 4: Cross-check the totals and entries in Form EC8D(A) with the Collation Support
and Result Verification System (CSRVS) Secretariat for computational accuracy;
Step5: Transfer the total number of Accredited Voter of Polling Units, where elections
were not held or cancelled for the respective States, from Forms EC 40G (II) into
form EC 40G(III);
Step 6: Announce loudly the votes scored by each Political Party;
Step 7: Sign, date and stamp the Form EC8D(A) and request the polling agents to
countersign;
Step 8: Retain the Electoral Operations copy (top copy) of Form EC8D(A);
Step 9: Distribute copies of forms EC8D(A) to polling agents and the Police
Step 10: Compare the total number of voters affected in Form EC40G (III) with the Margin
of Win between the two leading candidates;
Step 11: If the margin of win is more than the figure recorded in Form EC40G (III),
proceed to enter the scores of the candidates in Form EC8E for the declaration of
the Presidential election result.
Step12: The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Returning Officer for the Presidential
election shall complete Form EC8E and return the candidate who:
i. Has the majority (highest number) of votes cast at the election; and
ii. Has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in at least two-
thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory,
Abuja
Step13: The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Returning Officer for the Presidential
election shall then proceed to:
i. Distribute copies of Form EC8E to polling agents or candidates of each
Political Party in the election and the Police;
NOTE 27:
Conditions for run-off and supplementary elections
a) Where no candidate meets the requirements of the majority of votes cast and the electoral
two-thirds, as provided in the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for ELECTIONS,
2022, a runoff election shall be organized by the Commission within 21days in line
with the provisions of Section 134 (2) to (5) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
b) Where the margin of lead between the two leading candidates in an election is NOT
IN EXCESS of the total number collected PVCs of the Polling Units where elections
were not held or were cancelled in line with Sections 24(2 & 3), 47(3) and51(2) of
the Electoral Act 2022, the Returning Officer shall decline to make a return until polls
have been conducted in the affected Polling Units and the results collated into a new
Form EC8D(A) and subsequently recorded into Form EC8E for Declaration and
Return. This is the Margin of Lead Principle and shall apply wherever necessary in
making returns for all elections in accordance with the INEC Regulations and
Guidelines for Conduct of Election 2022.
NOTE 28:
Uncontested Presidential Election:
Where a Presidential election is uncontested, the Commission shall follow the procedure
outlined in Section 133 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended).
4.2.8 Collation of Federal Constituency Election Results with less than one LGA
The Local Government Council Collation Officer in charge of Federal Constituency
(House of Representatives) Elections with less than one LGA shall:
Step 1: Take delivery of the original copies of forms EC8B(II) from the RA Collation Officers
together with other materials and reports relating to the election including, where
applicable forms EC40G and EC40H(I);
Step 2: Collate the results of the Federal Constituency election by entering the votes in the
original copies of forms EC8B(II) into Form EC8C(II) and enter the votes scored
in both figures and words in the space provided;
Step 3: Add up the RA results to obtain the Federal Constituency summary;
Step 4: Cross-check the totals and entries Form EC8C(II) with the Collation Support and
Results Verification System (CSRVS) Secretariat where available
Step 5: Transfer the total number of Collected PVCs of Polling Units where election was
not held/cancelled for the respective RAs from Forms EC40G into Form EC40G(I);
Step 6: Cross-check the entries in form EC8C(II) and announce loudly the votes scored by
each political party;
2022 Manual for Election Officials 69
Step 7: Sign, date and stamp the form EC8C(II) and request the polling agents to countersign;
Step 8: Issue the originals and the first duplicate copies of forms EC8C(II) to INEC
Designated officials and distribute other duplicate copies to Polling Agents and the
Police
Step 9: Enter the score of each candidate into form EC8E(II) for the Federal Constituency
and return as elected the candidate who scores the highest number of valid votes
cast at the Federal Constituency election;
Step 10: Issue the originals and the first duplicate copies of Forms EC8E(II) to INEC
designated officials and distribute other duplicate copies to polling agents and the
Police;
Step 11: Complete where applicable, the EC40H(III) using the EC40H(II);
Step 12: Complete the Publication of Result of Poll Poster; EC60E and display it at the Collation
Centre.
(a) Where an election is postponed in one or more Polling Units due to the non-
replacement of malfunctioning BVAS in line with Section 47(3) of the Electoral
Act 2022, a new election shall be scheduled within 24 hours and a return for the
concerned constituency shall not be made until polls are conducted in the affected
Polling Units.
(b) However, where an election is postponed in one or more Polling Units due to the
non-replacement of malfunctioning BVAS in line with Section 47(3) of the
Electoral Act, 2022 and it is ascertained that the total number of voters who
collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the Polling Units affected by
the postponement is less than the margin by which the leading candidate is ahead
of the second candidate in the election, indicating that the result of the election
will not be affected by the outcome of polls in the Polling Units affected by the
postponement, the Returning Officer shall make a return for the election in the
constituency.
(c)
4.2.14 Collation of State Constituency Election Results with more than one LGA at
LGA Level:
The State Constituency (State House of Assembly) Collation/Returning Officer for the State
Constituency (State House of Assembly) Election, comprising more than one LGA shall:
Step 1: Take delivery of the original copies of Forms EC8C(I) from the LGA Collation
Officers together with other materials and reports relating to the election including
Forms EC40G(I) and EC40H(III) where applicable;
Step 2: Collate the results of the State House of Assembly election by entering the votes in
the original copies of forms EC8C(I) into Form EC8D(I) and enter the votes scored
in both figures and words in the spaces provided;
Step 3: Add up the LGA results to obtain the State/FCT Constituency summary
Step 4: Cross-check the totals with the Collation Support and Result Verification System
(CSRVS) Secretariat;
Step 5: Transfer the total number of Collected PVCs of Polling Units where election was
not held/cancelled for the respective LGA from Forms EC 40G (I) into Form EC
40G (II);
Step 6: Cross-check the entries in form EC8D(I) and announce loudly the votes scored by
each Political Party;
Step 7: Sign, date and stamp the Form EC8D(I) and request the Polling Agents to
countersign;
Step 8: Handover the Electoral Operations copy (top copy) of Form EC8D(I) to the
designated INEC Official;
4.2.15 Collation of State Constituency Election Results with less than One LGA at
State Constituency Level:
The State Constituency (State House of Assembly) Collation/Returning Officer for the State
Constituency (State House of Assembly) Election comprising less than one LGA shall: -
Step 1: Take delivery of the original copies of forms EC8B(I) from the RA/Ward Collation
Officers together with other materials and reports relating to the election including
Form EC40G(1);
Step 2: Collate the results of the State/FCT House of Assembly election by entering the
votes in the original copies of Forms EC8B(I) into Form EC8C(I) and enter the
votes scored in both figures and words in the spaces provided;
Step 3: Add up the RA/Ward results to obtain the State/FCT Constituency summary;
Step 4: Cross-check the totals of entries with the Collation Support and Result Verification
System (CSRVS) Secretariat;
Step 5: Transfer the total number of Collected PVCs of Polling Units where election was
cancelled/not held from Forms EC40G into Form EC40G(1);
Step 6: Cross-check the entries in Form EC8C(I) and announce loudly the votes scored by
each Political Party;
Step 7: Sign, date and stamp the Form EC8C(I) and request the Polling Agents to
countersign;
Step 8: Hand over the Electoral Operations copy (top copy) of Form EC8C(I) to the
designated INEC Official;
Step 9: Distribute copies of Forms EC8C(I) to Polling Agents or candidates and the Police;
Step 10: Enter the score of each candidate into form EC8E(I) for the State House of
Assembly and return as elected the candidate who scores the highest number of
valid votes cast at the State Constituency election;
4.8 Power of Returning or Collation Officer to Remove Persons from Collation Centre
The Returning Officer or Collation Officer shall have the power to request security officials to
remove any person from the collation Centre who, in his/her determination, is acting in a
disruptive manner. Such a person may also be granted reprieve subsequently if the RO or CO
so determines.
5.0 MISCELLANEOUS
This section deals with special topics that could have significant impact on the electoral
process, personnel or materials.
5.1 Conflict Prevention at the Polling Unit
Conflict at Election may manifest in a number of ways. Often it occurs during registration,
candidate selection process, or election campaign on Election Day at the Polling Units as well
as during collation and declaration of results. In this chapter we shall concentrate on conflict at
the Polling Unit.
Election Officials can prevent election conflict by strict adherence to the procedure contained
in this manual. Election Officials should ensure that the environment at the Polling Unit
remains peaceful and that election process proceeds in an orderly manner.
Attempts should be made by Poll Officials to prevent conflict degenerating into violence. Poll
Officials need to be courageous in performing their duties even in difficult circumstances.
Security agents should be used when necessary, and Poll Officials should avoid putting
themselves in danger on Election Day (Refer to professional ethics).
NOTE 31:
The Electoral Alternative Dispute Resolution (EADR) is a mechanism for preventing and
resolving conflict during election, it offers on the spot mediation, geared towards building
measures that improves the credibility of the electoral process.
The following table indicate the types of conflict that may arise at the Polling Unit. This is
intended to assist the Presiding Officer and other Election Officials to anticipate some potential
conflict areas and prevent them using EADR mechanisms.
Voters
5 Counting process
3
a Polling Agents and voters Polling Further delay
1 of Organize the polling unit to
complain about the length Agents the counting allow the orderly sorting and
of time needed to sort and process counting of ballots.
5.3 Tips for Poll Officials on Basic Security In Election Duties (BaSED)
i. Ensure you attend security briefings at the RAC before deployment. This will give you
key information and insights about risks and threats in the area you are deployed.
ii. Before deployment, ensure that you receive the telephone number of a competent
official (Security agencies or INEC) to call when in distress. You can also contact the
EMSC, EMSC Secretariat. (Paul to supply)
iii. Collect the contact of the Electoral Operations Support Centre for your State.
iv. Do not move unless a security escort accompanies you.
v. Security officials on election duties are there for your protection. Maintain a cordial
relationship with them. If a security official stops you be polite, present your ID if
requested and obey security directives.
vi. Be security conscious at all times. It is important to know the security situation in your
area and avoid areas that are identified as officially off limits, considered politically
sensitive or where security incidents are known to take place.
vii. It is important for staff to be aware of their environment e.g., security points, escape
points, difficult terrain etc. and culture of the community they are deployed.
viii. Maintain this awareness of and be sensitive to change. Be aware of individuals who
may be acting suspiciously and report such behaviour.
ix. Do not panic. Always assess situations and provide the best response. Try as much as
possible to not react in a violent manner and most importantly stay away from situations
that could be threatening.
x. If you find yourself in the trunk of a car, kick the back-tail lights out; stick your arm
through the hole and wave.
xi. Do not hesitate to call attention to yourself if you are in danger: scream, shout, blow
the horn of your vehicle.
xii. Personal safety is an individual responsibility. The best way to be safe is to avoid
trouble in the first place rather than try to remove yourself later.
xiii. Be sure to gain an understanding of the host community’s traditions and beliefs. Respect
the culture and customs of the environment in which you work.
xiv. Besuretobehaveprofessionallyatalltimes.Inspireconfidencewhenperformingyourduties.
xv. Never discuss politics or religion; these may incline people to assume bias and possible
misuse of office in favour of a candidate.
xvi. Drivers should be aware of strange objects while driving especially during convoy
movement, some of these objects may be an IED or unexploded ordinance.
xvii. It is important for all drivers to know alternative routes in case there is a security threat
and main roads are not available.
xviii. Ensure you carry, with you, essential items on your trip e.g., soap, deodorant, clothing,
food and money. However, be sure not to carry costly items. Remember, you are
2022 Manual for Election Officials 110
responsible and accountable for your safety and security.
(g) Symptoms
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people
will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.
The most common symptoms are fever, dry cough and tiredness. Serious
symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or
pressure and loss of smell or taste.
(h) Prevention
You can protect yourself and others from infection by:
(i) Washing your hands with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds; or using an
alcohol-based sanitizer;
(ii) Avoiding face touching at all times;
(iii) Practicing respiratory etiquette (for example, coughing into a flexed elbow);
(iv) Covering your face with face mask or face shield; and
(v) Staying away from large groups of people
(i) The use of facemasks is advised for all involved in the election process;
(ii) The Commission shall provide face masks for all election officials;
(iii) Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be provided for election officials at the Polling
Units;
(iv) Methylated Spirit and cotton wool will be provided for the disinfection of the Bimodal
Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) after the fingerprint of each voter is read; and
(v) Adherence to current protocols issued by the NCDC/ Presidential Task Force (PTF) on
COVID-19.
(b) If possible, please make provision for your own face mask. An election official may
request you to lower your mask for proper identification when necessary;
(c) Any voter showing symptoms such as, coughing, sneezing, among others, and a high
temperature of 370C or more, will be requested to leave the queue or voting area and
shall be attended to by designated officials.
(e) An election official may ask to clean your fingers with an antiseptic before your
fingerprint is read with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
(f) Please, ensure that you go away with your used protective materials such as face masks
and hand gloves. Do not litter the Polling Unit!
(b) Prevention
(i) Avoid close contact [including sexual contact] with people who are sick or have a
rash;
(ii) Do not share eating utensils or cups;
(iii) Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use
an alcohol based sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol;
(iv) Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. If you need to touch your
face, make sure your hands are clean;
(v) Don’t touch live or dead wild animals;
(vi) Don’t touch or eat products that come from wild animals [Bush Meat]; and
(vii) Avoid touching materials such as bedding that have been used by animals.
Note 32:
For Election Officials, it is advised that hand sanitizers be used regularly, the BVAS
machines be disinfected after each use and hand gloves be made available for Election
officials especially those who are more in contact with the voters – POs and APOs.
5.5.9 DIARRHOEA
(a) Call for help;
(b) Replace fluids by taking Oral Rehydration Salts if available or with diluted juices.
(c) Drink more water but slowly;
(d) Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol; and
(e) Rest or get to a hospital if symptoms worsen.
Note 33:
For other minor health emergencies, the contents of the First Aid Box provided at each RA
should be made use of before proceeding to a hospital.
I OATH/AFFIRMATION OF NEUTRALITY
FORM EC 17
BEFORE ME
COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS
NOTE: The Oath/Affirmation of Neutrality binds Election Officials to the legal and ethical
standards intended to guide their activities during the entire Electoral Process. All Election
Officials must adhere to these standards and implement them in good faith. The Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) will sanction Election Officials for violation of the
Oath/Affirmation of Neutrality.
EC 8A(I)
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION
STATEMENT OF RESULT OF POLL FROM POLLING UNITS
ELECTION TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
State Constituency: _____________________________________ Code
Local Government Area:__________________________________Code
Registration Area:____________________________________Code
Polling Units:________________________________________Code
State:_________________________________________________Code
REJECTED VOTES
SN NAME CODE
REGISTERED ACCREDITED PVCs RECEIVED VALID VOTES
VOTERS VOTERS Collected BY VOTES CAST
POLITICAL
PARTIES
1 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
…………………………………........………………………
…………..………………………………..............…………
……………………………………........……………………
No………..............
FORM EC 40D
UNDERTAKING WITH REGARDS TO IMPERSONATION
STATE……………………………………………………………………………………..
CONSTITUENCY…………………………………………………………………………
…..……………………………………….
Name & Signature of Presiding Officer
STATE…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………….
CONSTITUENCY…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Name of Person authorized)
To remove from Polling Unit any person whose removal I order on the grounds that he has
mis-conducted him/herself or has failed to obey any lawful order by me.
……………….…………………………
Signature of Presiding Officer