How to Vote

Voting

After citizens are registered as voters during the time set for voter registration, citizens will vote by going to the polling station where they are registered on the Election Day specified by the NEBE. The voting process is as follows.

Voting Process 

  • The voting process begins at all polling stations at the same time.

  • On polling day, voters can vote from 6AM to 6PM. During this time period, voting will continue without interruption unless there are difficult circumstances beyond control.

  • Any voter who is present at the polling station will vote freely. 

  • Any citizen will vote by making a mark (X, ✓ or fingerprint) where instructed near the candidate that he or she selects on the ballot paper. 

  • The secrecy of the ballot must always be ensured. Voters who need help while voting may enter the secret voting booth with their selected assistant. The assistant must not have had any of his/her rights stripped by law.  

  • Any voter can vote:

    • at the polling station where he/she is registered as a voter;

    • if he/she is in possession of their voter ID card

    • if his/her name can be found on the electoral roll

    • when it has been confirmed that he/she has not yet voted.

  • Any voter present at the polling station where he/she is registered must provide poll workers with identification documents in order to receive their permission to cast his/her vote.

  • People with disabilities, the elderly, parents with children and pregnant women will be given rights-of-way in the registration and voting processes.

  • Ballot papers may be invalid for one of the following reasons:

    • If the identity of the voter is specified by name on the ballot

    • If the voter has selected more candidates than can be elected in one constituency.

    • If it is difficult to identify which candidate the voter elected

    • If it is found to be an illegitimate ballot paper that was not distributed by the polling station.

The ethical principles that must be respected on the Election Day

  • No one should be present within a 200m radius of the polling station while drunk, carrying a firearm or disrupting the peace in any other manner.

  • Any person who is not a voter and does not have an identification card should not enter the polling station, nor should they interfere with or obstruct any electoral processes taking place in or outside the compound of the polling station.

  • After casting a vote, the voter must immediately leave the polling station and its surrounding area.