Check both your voter record and the location of your assigned polling unit before election day. A familiar school or a nearby voting queue is not enough to identify the right place. Similar names, shared compounds and old directions can all cause confusion.
Start with your voter record
Use INEC's voter verification service to check the registration details attached to your name. Then use the polling-unit locator linked from INEC's official Polling Units Directory. The first task concerns your registration; the second helps you identify a location. A map search for the nearest unit does not establish that you are assigned to it.
Keep the details you enter private. If someone is helping you, review the information on the screen yourself before moving on. A failed search is a reason to check the spelling and selected location, then seek help; it is not, by itself, proof that your registration has been removed.
Match the full code, not just the landmark
INEC describes polling-unit codes in four parts: state, local government area, ward or registration area, and unit number. Compare the whole sequence, including any leading zeros. Record the official location description alongside it.
Two units may refer to the same school, village square or street. Write down enough detail to distinguish the unit itself. If your card and the online record appear to disagree, keep both details and ask INEC to clarify which assignment applies.
- Save the state, LGA, ward, full unit code and location description.
- Keep a dated screenshot for your own reference, with personal details protected.
- Confirm the entrance and accessible route if the site has several gates.
Check the journey before election day
Make a practical travel plan after confirming the assignment. Consider the walking distance, weather, mobility needs and any official local movement notice. Do not assume a map's route will be usable on polling day.
If you have moved home, locating a convenient unit is only a starting point. Check the separate transfer process and your current record. A request you submitted earlier should not be treated as completed simply because you kept a receipt.
When the lookup does not resolve the problem
Use INEC's state-office directory to find an official contact for your area. Explain the mismatch precisely: the two codes, the location names and when you last checked. Ask which record should guide your next step.
If an online service is unavailable, retry later or use the office contact. Do not substitute a stranger's social-media answer for confirmation. Finish by noting the confirmed assignment and checking the relevant election notice for any subsequent change.
Frequently asked questions
Does finding a polling unit online register me there?
No. A location lookup helps you find a unit. Registration or an approved transfer determines the assignment attached to your voter record.
What should I save on my phone?
Save the full unit code, location description, date checked and a useful route note. Keep any screenshot containing personal registration details private.
