#NigeriaDecides2019: 8 Things Nigerian Voters Must Not Do At Polling Boot

As Nigerians prepare, again, to go to the polls for the 2019 general elections, there are quite a few things the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) want voters to know.

The electoral umpire noted eight cardinal sins that should not be committed anywhere around the polling units where Nigerians will cast their votes.

The election day offenses listed by the commission are:

1. No mobile phones are allowed inside the polling booths when a vote is being cast but can be used around the polling units.

2. No campaigning for votes, or persuasion of voters to not vote for a candidate.

3. No shouting of slogans concerning the election, or in support of any party.

4. No one should be in possession of an offensive weapon or wear any apparel calculated to intimidate voters.

5. No one is allowed to use a vehicle bearing the colour or symbol of a political party or candidate

6. No one is allowed to loiter at polling units without lawful excuse after voting or after being refused to vote.

7. No one is allowed to snatch or destroy any election materials.

8. No one is allowed to blare siren.

Meanwhile, INEC has urged all Nigerian voters to be law-abiding as Nigerians can report election offences to the INEC situation room.

President Muhammadu Buhari revealed earlier this week that he’s instructed security agencies to be “ruthless” in dealing with ballot box snatchers, so you might want to take particular note of number 6, or pretty much everything, just to be safe.

On each election day, according to INEC, polling stations will open for accreditation and voting from 8:00 am to 2.00pm.

“However, voters on the queue before the close of poll at 2:00 pm will be accredited and allowed to vote,” the commission noted.

Naija News reports that the Presidential and National Assembly elections that were initially supposed to take place on February 16 will now take place on February 23, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections initially scheduled for March 2 have been moved to March 9.