Informed civic guide
How 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.
Sources checked 11 August 2026At a glance
Key points
- INEC publishes a timetable and regulates nominations before polling day.
- Eligible voters are accredited at their assigned polling units.
- Votes are counted and a result form is completed at the polling unit.
- Results move through the legally required collation and declaration stages.
Before election day
INEC registers voters, publishes the timetable, receives party nominations, publishes candidate lists, prepares materials and trains officials. Deadlines vary by election and should be checked against the current official timetable.
At the polling unit
After accreditation, eligible voters cast ballots. Votes are counted openly at the polling unit, party agents may observe, and the Presiding Officer records the result on the prescribed form.
Collation and return
Polling-unit results are collated through the levels required for the office being contested. The authorised Returning Officer makes the formal return when the legal tests are satisfied.
Authoritative references
Sources
- Electoral Act 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Official National Assembly copy of the current Electoral Act.
- INEC regulations and guidelines (opens in a new tab)
Current election regulations and guidance published by INEC.
- INEC: BVAS and result-management process (opens in a new tab)
INEC's February 2026 explanation of accreditation and polling-unit result transmission.