2023 Election Safety Tips and How To Confirm INEC Polling Unit Location

Safety tips for voting during elections

The much anticipated 2023 general election is finally upon Nigerians, with less than 24 hours to go. While security agencies have assured voters of adequate protection during the voting exercise, it is necessary for individuals to take personal measures in safeguarding themselves during this critical period.

Here are safety tips to note as the voters head to polling units on Saturday:

1. Confirm polling units before election day

To avoid getting lost on election day, voters should physically visit their polling station before the polls open.

Alternatively, the Independent Electoral Commission has provided a polling unit locator on its website, which provides approximate location details for each polling unit across the country – visit INEC Portal to confirm polling unit location.

It is important to note that vehicular movements are prohibited on election day. Thus, voters are advised to find a convenient place to lodge if their residence is far from their polling unit.

2. Avoid wearing political merchandise to polling booths

As Nigeria operates a secret ballot system, it is important that voters protect themselves by not publicly announcing the persons or parties they want to vote for at polling units.

To avoid unnecessary confrontation with political thugs and miscreants, going to polling units with plain clothes is the safest choice. Branded accessories should also be kept out of sight.

3. Report unusual activities

Another important safety measure voters can take during the voting exercises is to report any unusual activities to the appropriate authorities.

For this purpose, the Nigerian Army has provided emergency lines for voters to report any suspicious activity during the voting exercise.

Voters should not attempt to confront violent persons. They should seek refuge first, then contact security agents as soon as they can.

See the Nigerian Army emergency lines below:

1. Abia State – 08031113129
2. Adamawa State – 08022750987
3. Akwa-Ibom State – 07034470916
4. Anambra State – 07035891185
5. Bauchi State – 08128063675
6. Bayelsa State – 08033241005
7. Benue State – 08080754339
8. Borno State – 09099616160, 08086987079
9. Cross River State – 08037084192
10. Delta State – 07035070797
11. Ebonyi State – 08158274048
12. Edo State – 09066325953
13. Ekiti State – 08037851448
14. Enugu State – 09032102212, 08023097458
15. Gombe State – 07063908779, 08082557782
16. Imo State – 07034907427
17. Jigawa State – 07017791414,  08100144363
18. Kaduna State – 07031544227, 08028580978, 08035242633
19. Kano State – 08038432656
20. Kastina State – 08108854061, 09012998054
21. Kebbi State – 09130213661
22. Kogi State – 08033217964
23. Kwara State – 09060001270
24. Lagos State – 08034025825, 08023190487, 09024409000, 08033709434
25. Nassarawa State – 09051009404
26. Niger State – 07031346425
27. Ogun State – 09116589494
28. Ondo State – 08036130535
29. Osun State – 09019683922
30. Oyo State – 07047703000
31. Plateau State – 08037116395, 07031260622
32. Rivers State – 08064274222
33. Sokoto State – 07069084570, 07052693532, 08136913284
34. Taraba State – 08136728969, 08060902363
35. Yobe State – 08061397656
36. Zamfara State – 08140075541
37. FCT – 09114913164, 08186690471, 08079153860, 08034276240, 08164304255, 09159793968

4. Avoid bringing children to the polling units

Because of the high stakes involved, it is critical to keep children safe during the elections.

Children should not be brought to polling units in case violence breaks out. Instead, families should make adequate babysitting arrangements ahead of election day.

5. Avoid political arguments at polling booths

Voters should go to polling units with one goal in mind: to cast their ballots and ensure that they are properly counted.

As campaign activities have been halted, it is inappropriate to engage in political discussions that could escalate into arguments or violence at polling units.

How to confirm polling unit location via INEC portal

The Independent National Electoral Commission has encouraged Nigerians to confirm their various polling units ahead of the general election.

During a meeting with the national leaders of political parties in Abuja on Monday, INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the feedback “from our officials and accredited observers following the recent nationwide mock accreditation using the BVAS” showed that some voters could not easily identify their polling units.

He, therefore, advised voters to ascertain the exact location of their polling units using a dedicated portal on the INEC website.

Here are steps to confirm the location of your polling unit via the INEC portal.

1. Log onto the INEC Website. The link leads to the home page which features a menu icon at the top right corner of the page.
2. Click on the icon, a drop down-list which features three options will be provided. These options include Check Voters Status, Polling Unit Locator, and Help.
3. Click on Polling Unit Locator, you will be led to a form which requires your polling unit details. These include, State, Local Government, Registration Area (ward number), and the name of your Polling Unit.
4. Keep your Permanent Voter Card handy to input the required information. You can also check your full details by using the Check Voters Status portal, this only requires the Voters Identification Number and surname.
5. When the details have been supplied, click on the green icon which reads, “Get Directions”. This leads to Google map which provides the direction to your polling unit’s location.

INEC however advises voters to physically visit their polling unit before the election day, as the directions provided via the map are only “approximate”.