How to Create Polls in WhatsApp Groups
Create interactive polls with the !poll command. Members vote, results tracked live.
Native WhatsApp polls are limited to one image, no anonymity, and no ability to schedule. BotWave's !poll wraps richer polls, anonymous voting, scheduled close, results pinning, leaderboard integration, and works as both a one-liner and a multi-line "form" syntax.
Prerequisites
- BotWave bot in the group.
- A question and at least two options ready.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Single-line syntax
Send: `!poll Best food in Nigeria? | Jollof | Egusi | Eba`. The bot posts a styled poll with vote buttons.
!poll Best food in Nigeria? | Jollof | Egusi | Eba - 2
Multi-line syntax (for longer options)
Send `!poll` on the first line, then the question, then each option on its own line. The bot understands either style.
- 3
Make the poll anonymous
Add `--anon` to the command. Votes are tracked but voter names are hidden in the results.
!poll --anon Are you happy with the rules? | Yes | No - 4
Schedule the close
Add `--close=24h` (or 2h, 7d, etc.). The poll auto-closes and posts results at that time.
!poll --close=24h Today's mood? | Great | Tired | Stressed - 5
Pin the results
Reply to the closed poll with `!pin`. The bot pins the results message so latecomers can see.
Expected result
A styled poll, optional anonymity, optional scheduled close, and a clear results summary, all without leaving WhatsApp.
Power-user tips
- Use !vote <number> from any chat to vote programmatically (useful when polls are running across multiple groups).
- Polls count once against your message quota when created, then zero per vote.
Frequently asked questions
How many options can a poll have?
Up to 12 options per poll, same as native WhatsApp polls.
Can I edit a poll after sending?
No, but you can close the current one and start a new one with the corrected options.
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