Nigerians have been anticipating the 2023 elections since the results of the last one were announced in 2019. Elections hold significant importance in Nigeria! The Presidential and National Assembly elections were held on Saturday, 25th of February, 2023 and on the 11th of March 2023, eligible voters will once again go to the poll to elect Governors and Representatives at state levels. Elections in Nigeria can go from 0-100 in a twinkle of an eye… Regardless, it is important that you perform your civic duties. Here are 4 ways to use your smartphone to stay safe as you go to your polling unit:
Share your Live Location with your Loved Ones
It is essential to inform your loved ones of your whereabouts during the election period to ensure your safety. Election periods are some of the most unpredictable periods in Nigeria, the security situation during elections can rapidly deteriorate, leading to violence and chaos and you need to have someone who knows where you are at all times. If you end up finding yourself in trouble, it will be easier to locate you and if dem carry you, it will be easy to locate where you dey
Recharge your Phone
This is a no-brainer, especially during this period when CBN’s cashless policy affects bank apps’ efficiency. The last thing you want is not to be able to make calls; that one call can be the difference between getting home safe and getting caught in dangerous skirmishes. Please ensure you have enough call credit on your phone before you leave.
Data is life
Omo! You need data o, while social media has become the marketplace for fake news, it is also the platform where news breaks. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and even WhatsApp are platforms for sharing breaking news. With data, you can stay abreast of the latest information
Put a Sim Lock on your sim
No one anticipates losing their phone; however, it is wise to take precautions to minimize the impact of a potential loss. Go to settings on your phone and type sim lock in the search bar, pick a unique code to protect your sim card from unauthorised access. Because elections often involve a large crowd, it is easy to misplace your phone.
Bonus Point
Your phone camera can come in handy to record irregularities at the polling unit, but we only recommend doing this if it is safe to do so. Abeg o!
Remember to go out and cast your votes in a peaceful and orderly manner. May the best man win.
