2023 Elections: Dos and Don’ts Around Polling Units
By Khadijah Ahmad Ado,
As we look forward to the presidential election scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, February 25, it is expedient that the Nigerian voters familiarize themselves with the guidelines about their conduct in polling units.
For the benefit of hindsight, a polling unit is a place where registered voters go to exercise their franchise. People go there to vote for candidates of their choice.
A polling unit is not a fighting ground and certainly not a marketplace where people go to buy or sell their merchandise.
At a polling unit, it is either you vote or have no business being there.
The Nigeria Police, being the lead agency for the security of elections, advised that unregistered citizens should stay at home during election hours.
Does a polling unit have rules and regulations?
Yes, it does. The following are the dos at a polling unit:
1. Go to your polling unit with your Voter’s Card.
2. Respecting fellow voters’ privacy is mandatory.
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3. Reporting any problems or malpractices to the supervisors.
4. Only INEC officials are to be asked when necessary.
5. Queuing for accreditation before voting commences.
However, the don’ts around a polling unit include:
1. Campaign in any form is punishable by law.
2. Weapons of any kind including sticks are unallowed and those caught holding them will be punished accordingly.
3. No fighting and shouting at each other.
4. Using a vehicle bearing symbols or candidates of any political party is unallowed.
5. No loitering without any lawful excuse.
6. Snatching ballot boxes or any election materials is a capital offense and is punishable.
Now, there is the need for voters (who will troop out to their various polling units tomorrow) to behave responsibly and cast their votes for candidates of their choice.
They must, as a matter of fact, eschew engaging in any untoward conduct around their polling units. May the best leaders emerge after the exercise.
*Khadijah Ahmad Ado, a Mass Communication Student of Skyline University, Kano, is an intern with PRNigeria and Economic Confidential*
