2023 Polls: How Winners Emerge

Nigeria’s 2023 general elections highlight the process by which winners are officially declared. Under the electoral framework, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) aggregates votes, ensures minimum spread across states, and verifies compliance with constitutional thresholds. A presidential candidate, for instance, must secure not only the highest number of votes but also at least one-quarter of votes cast in two-thirds of the states. This mechanism is designed to ensure national acceptance and legitimacy. Similar rules govern governorship and legislative contests, with run-offs mandated if thresholds are not met.