How NigeriaDecide Works
NigeriaDecide is built on a commitment to accuracy, transparency and non-partisanship. This page explains exactly how we collect, verify and publish election data — so you always know the source and confidence level of every number you see on this platform.
Where Our Data Comes From
We use four primary sources, listed in order of authority:
- INEC Official Result Sheets — Form EC8A (polling unit), EC8B (ward), EC8C (LGA) and EC8D (state). These are the legally binding result documents signed by INEC officials and party agents at each level of collation.
- INEC IReV Portal — The Independent National Electoral Commission’s result viewing portal, which publishes scanned result sheets in real time during elections. We cross-reference IReV data against physical collation results.
- Accredited Observer Reports — Submissions from accredited civil society observers, including YIAGA Africa, CLEEN Foundation, and international missions such as the EU EOM and African Union observer teams.
- Citizen Submissions — Results submitted directly by registered voters present at their polling units via our Submit Result form or SMS. All citizen submissions are marked as Unverified until our editorial team confirms them against official sources.
How We Verify Results
Every result on NigeriaDecide carries a verification status:
- Official — Sourced directly from INEC Form EC8 sheets or the IReV portal and confirmed by our team.
- Verified — Citizen or observer submission confirmed against at least one official source.
- Unverified — Citizen submission received but not yet confirmed. Published with a clear warning label.
- Disputed — Result has been contested by a party agent, civil society group or tribunal process. We flag these and publish both the official figure and the dispute.
Our editorial team reviews all unverified submissions within 24 hours of receipt. We do not publish results that cannot be traced to at least one credible source.
Candidate Profiles
All candidate profiles on NigeriaDecide are either self-submitted by campaigns through our verified partner programme, or researched by our editorial team from public records including:
- INEC candidate declaration forms (CF001)
- National Assembly and State Assembly official directories
- Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records
- University and professional body verification
- Published interviews and official campaign materials
Profiles carry a Verified badge only when key biographical claims have been confirmed against at least one independent source. Unverified profiles are clearly marked.
Sponsored and Paid Content
NigeriaDecide accepts paid advertising from candidates, parties, NGOs and corporate organisations. All paid content is clearly labelled as Sponsored, Paid Political Promotion or Advertisement — whichever is most accurate. Paid placement does not influence our editorial coverage, result reporting, or candidate profile content. Every party and candidate receives a free basic listing regardless of whether they advertise with us.
Corrections Policy
We correct errors promptly and transparently. If you believe a figure or profile detail on NigeriaDecide is inaccurate, please email corrections@nigeriadecide.com with supporting evidence. We will review within 48 hours and publish a correction note on the relevant page if the error is confirmed.
Independence
NigeriaDecide is not affiliated with INEC, any political party, candidate, government ministry, or foreign organisation. Our funding comes from advertising revenue, foundation grants and individual supporters. A full list of our funders is available on request. Editorial decisions are made independently of commercial relationships.
Contact the Editorial Team
For data queries, corrections or methodology questions: editorial@nigeriadecide.com