Informed civic guides
Understand Nigerian elections
Clear, source-linked explanations of public offices, election technology, voting, collation, and result declarations.
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Election explainers
What does the President do?
Nigeria's President leads the federal executive, implements federal law and directs the work of the Federal Government within constitutional limits.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat does a Governor do?
A Governor leads a state executive, implements state law and coordinates ministries and public services within that state's constitutional authority.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat does a Senator do?
A Senator represents one of Nigeria's senatorial districts in the National Assembly and takes part in federal lawmaking, budgeting and oversight.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat does a House of Representatives member do?
A member of the House represents a federal constituency and works on federal laws, appropriations and oversight of the Federal Government.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat does a State House of Assembly member do?
A State House of Assembly member represents a state constituency, makes state laws and scrutinises the state executive.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat does a Local Government Chairman do?
A Local Government Chairman leads a local council's executive work, while the council performs functions assigned by the Constitution and applicable state law.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat is INEC?
The Independent National Electoral Commission is the constitutional body responsible for organising federal and state elections and regulating key parts of Nigeria's electoral process.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat is BVAS?
BVAS is the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System used by INEC to authenticate voters and support polling-unit result management.
Read explainer Civic explainerWhat is IReV?
IReV is INEC's public result-viewing portal for images of polling-unit result forms; it supports transparency but is not, by itself, the legal statewide declaration.
Read explainer Civic explainerHow are Nigerian elections conducted?
An election moves from registration and nominations through accreditation, voting, counting, collation and a formal return under the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
Read explainer Civic explainerHow are election results declared?
Polling-unit totals are collated through prescribed levels, and the authorised Returning Officer formally declares and returns the candidate who meets the legal requirements.
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