YMonitor Voter Education Series: What happens when there is over-voting in a polling unit

by Ajibola Emmanuel

Where the total number of votes cast at a Polling Unit exceeds the number of registered voters in the Polling Unit, the result of the election for that Polling Unit shall be declared null and void, and a report in that regard shall be made to the Collation officer. Similarly, where the total number of votes cast at a Polling Unit exceeds the total number of accredited voters, the outcome of the election shall be declared null and void, and a report in that regard shall be made to the Collation officer.

Where after a crosscheck and recount, the sum of spoiled ballot papers, rejected ballots and valid votes is not equal to the total number of used ballots, an anomaly exists, and the Presiding Officer shall submit a written report to the RA/Ward Collation Officer.

The RA/Ward Collation Officer shall examine the report and reconcile the figures. Where the figures cannot be reconciled, the RA/Ward Collation Officer shall locate the source of the discrepancy, rectify it and make a report to the LGA Collation officer.