What Voters Should Know As #NigeriaDecides Today

It happens today!

Over 70 million registered voters will be expected to exercise their constitutional rights as they choose their next set of leaders.

There is so much excitement about today’s election but there are things every eligible voter should know as they go out to cast their votes.

Don’t be in a hurry to thumbprint on the ballot paper so that your votes can count.

Ensure you drop your ballot papers in the right boxes

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), here are the election day offences, each of which could lead to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for 6 months:

PART VIII SC. 129 (1) states that:
1. No person shall on the date an election is held do any of the following acts or things in a polling unit or within a distance of 300 metres of a polling unit-
(a) Canvass for votes;
(b) Solicit for the vote of any voter
(c) Persuade any voter not to vote for any particular candidate;
(d) Persuade any voter not to vote at any election;
(e) Shout slogans concerning the election;
(f) Be in possession of any offensive weapon or wear any dress or have any facial or other decoration which in any event is calculated to intimidate voters;
(g) Exhibit, wear or tender any notice, symbol photograph or party card referring to the election;
(h) Use any vehicle bearing the colour or symbol of a political party by any means whatever;
(i) Loiter without lawful excuse after voting or after being refused to vote;
(j) Snatch or destroy any election materials; and
(k) Blare siren