Elections in Rivers State

All citizens 18 years old or above who are residents of Rivers State and live in the ward or local government area where they intend to vote, and have not been rendered unqualified by law may vote. In order to actually vote, citizens are required to register before election day.^[3]

In January 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission recorded a total of 2,537,590 registered voters in Rivers State, Nigeria.^[4]

The Governor and Deputy Governor are elected through popular vote on the same ticket for a term of four years. They may be re-elected for a second term but may not serve for more than two consecutive terms.

The House of Assembly consists of 32 members, each elected to four-year terms in single-member constituencies by plurality. The qualified members in turn elect a Speaker, whose primary responsibility is to preside over the House. In carrying out his or her official duties, the Assembly Speaker is assisted by an elected Deputy Speaker, who basically serves as the vice-presiding officer of the House.^[5]