How Election Results Are Collated and Declared in Nigeria

After you cast your vote, a multi-step process determines the final result. Understanding this process helps you identify irregularities and trust (or question) the declared outcome.

Step 1: Polling Unit Counting

Immediately after the last person votes, the Presiding Officer begins counting at the polling unit in the presence of:

• Party agents
• Election observers
• Security personnel
• Members of the public

The Presiding Officer:

1. Opens the ballot box in full view.
2. Sorts ballots by candidate/party.
3. Counts each pile, showing every ballot to everyone present.
4. Records the totals on the EC8A form (Result Sheet for the Polling Unit).
5. The form is signed by the PO and party agents.
6. A copy of the result is posted at the polling unit for public viewing.

Step 2: Electronic Upload (IReV)

Since the 2023 elections, the Presiding Officer also photographs the result sheet and uploads it via the BVAS device to INEC's Results Viewing Portal (IReV) at www.irev.inecnigeria.org.

This allows the public to see polling unit results in near real-time, which is a major transparency improvement.

Step 3: Ward Collation

Results from all polling units in a ward are brought to the Ward Collation Centre by the Presiding Officers. The Ward Collation Officer adds up the results and records them on the EC8B form.

Step 4: LGA Collation

Ward results are collated at the Local Government Area level. The LGA Collation Officer compiles all ward results onto the EC8C form.

Step 5: State Collation

For Presidential elections, LGA results move to the State Collation Centre, where the Returning Officer (usually a university Vice-Chancellor) compiles all LGA results onto the EC8D form and announces the state-level result.

For Governorship elections, the State Collation Centre is the final stop. The State Returning Officer declares the winner.

Step 6: National Collation (Presidential Only)

State results from all 36 states and the FCT are brought to INEC's national headquarters in Abuja. The Chief Returning Officer (the INEC Chairman) reviews all results and declares the winner.

How to Monitor Results

1. Stay at your polling unit — Watch the count and verify the EC8A form.
2. Check IReV — Visit www.irev.inecnigeria.org to see uploaded polling unit results.
3. Use MyPollingUnit — The Election Results feature on both the website and mobile app allows verified voters to photograph and submit polling unit results, helping build a citizen-verified record.
4. Follow trusted media — Reputable news outlets often track and report results as they come in.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Results announced at a polling unit that differ from what was uploaded to IReV.
• Unusually high voter turnout (e.g., 100% or close to it) at a polling unit.
• Results that arrive extremely late at collation centres.
• Significant differences between polling unit totals and collated results.