Later today, 25 February, over 87 million Nigerians are expected to elect Nigeria’s next president in the country’s seventh general election since 1999.

Development Diaries reports that voting is expected to take place in 176,846 polling units across the country as 18 candidates seek to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Some of the prominent candidates include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, who is the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); former Anambra State Governor and candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; and former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeri Peoples Party (NNPP).

But how do Nigerians elect their president?

For any candidate to be declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), they must meet two requirements: get the highest number of valid votes and secure at least 25 percent of the votes in at least two-thirds of the country’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a situation where none of the contenders has fulfilled the aforementioned requirements, a second round of voting shall be conducted with the top two candidates from the first ballot.

However, since the return of democracy in 1999, no second round of voting has ever been held in Nigeria since the return of democracy in the country in 1999.

Photo source: BBC