The final stage of the election process on polling day is the counting of votes and the dissemination of results for the various candidates who contest the elections.

  • COUNTING ON-THE-SPOT

     

    People to be allowed in the polling/counting centre include:

    • IEC Officials
    • Regional Authorities, such as Governors, National Assembly Members, Councilors, Mayors/Chairpersons, Seyfolu and Alkalolu (should not come with a big delegation)
    • Two polling/counting agents per Candidate
    • Accredited domestic and international observers
    • Partners and guests of the IEC
    • Accredited media practitioners(one per media house)
    • Security personnel (on duty at the polling/counting centre)
    • Candidates if they so wish

     

    No other person should be allowed in the polling station/counting centre unless duly authorized by the IEC.

     

    Counting begins with:

    • Presiding officer reads out the Ballot Token Account and polling time.
    • Polling/Counting agents cross-check seals numbers with their notes before seals are broken by the Presiding officer.
    • The Presiding Officer breaks the seals, pours the tokens onto the sieve and filters them.
    • Presiding Officer arranges the tokens on the counting tray
    • Presiding Officer shows the filled counting tray to:
      • Polling/counting agents and/or
      • Domestic / International Observers present.
    • Showing of the counting tray should be done one after the other.
    • Presiding Officer records votes polled by each candidate on the Counting Form.
    • Presiding Officer returns counted tokens in their respective ballot drums
    • Presiding Officer reseals the ballot drums supported by binding wires
    • Polling/Counting agents may escort the Assistant Returning Officer and Presiding Officer to the collation centre at their own cost.
    • The Collation Centre will then collate polling station results
    • The Collation centre shall add up all the polling station results in the constituency before handing it over to the Regional Electoral Officer.

     

    • Proper care must always be maintained when results are being tabulated to ensure that all figures are correct.
    • Polling/counting agents shall sign the close of poll report.
    • A copy of the counting form shall be given to each candidate’s agent.
    • A copy shall also be pasted at the polling station/counting centre and a copy taken to the collation centre