On the 17^th of January 2018, I finally got to registering to vote. When I was asked by an official why I never did in the past, I told him the truth – I was not interested. You can imagine the look on his face. I guess he was expecting some complicated reasons about their own incompetence, queue and the likes, but the truth is, I just was not interested.

So why am I suddenly interested? Because I now know better. If you are 18, a Nigerian and reading this, please don’t be like the old Elsie, be like the new Elsie. Go register to vote. It is your right, your power and civic responsibility.

Since I shared a picture of my temporary voters card on twitter (if you are not following me yet, please do – @elsieisy), I have gotten many questions directed at me already that I do not have answers to. The @inecnigeria handler seems as clueless as I am but I will answer the ones I can.

As an adult who spend money on data, please let’s all note that most of the information you need on how to register is just a google search away. At least, that was how I found my registration centre.

Yes, I reside in Lagos state and I registered in Lagos state. Also note that I can only attest to what went down at the point where I registered, not every centre in Lagos state, talk more Nigeria as a whole. To be very honest, Government workers are mostly legit annoying, but you have to ignore their attitude to get this done.

Step 1: A Nigerian citizen who is eligible to vote, goes to the INEC website to locate his Polling Unit. To be eligible, you have to be 18 years and above

To locate your registration unit in Nigeria, click HERE

If you reside in Lagos, click HERE to locate your registration point.

And if you reside in my state of origin, Abia, click HERE

If you reside in other parts of Nigeria, click HERE

Step 2: The citizen goes to the chosen Polling Unit to register

Make out time to visit the nearest registration unit. Not compulsory but I suggest you go with a valid means of identification and/or birth certificate (especially if you are like me and don’t look your age)

On how long it took me to get registered – 2HOURS, and this was because I was smart enough to get there early. I got to the registration unit at 8:30am, wrote my name on a paper provided by the officials. I was lucky to be number 8 and registration did not start till 10am…just because they’ve got the power to not start till 10am. Whew*

At 10am it starts with the names on the paper (thankfully), when called, you are asked some questions by an official to be sure you haven’t registered before. If you pass the almighty official’s screening, you are given a form to fill, then moved to the next stage where your picture is taken and your details captured. You are then given the temporary card.

On when the PVC will be ready, the officials had no idea. They only said I will get it before election starts. I sincerely hope I get it with ease *hot tears*

I hope this post has been helpful. If you have more questions, please tweet at @inecnigeria.

PS: If you registered in a particular state but reside in a different state right now, the information in the screenshots below should help:

xoxo