Nigeria’s presidential election was marred by long delays at polling stations on Saturday that did not deter large crowds of voters hoping for a restart after years of turmoil and escalating violence under outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. .
Reuters reporters in different locations in Africa’s most populous country witnessed different scenarios, with delays of several hours in some places while voting proceeded rapidly in others.
“As you can see, people have come in droves. Voter illumination has been high and people are excited to participate in the elections,” said voter Emmanuel Nwosu, as he awaited the opening of his constituency in the city southeast of Onitsha.
“Let’s wait. They should start accreditation at 8:30, but even if they arrive at 21, today we’re still voting”.
National Election Commission (INEC) officials in several states said they were delayed by the late arrival of vehicles to transport them.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, head of the World Trade Organization, said on Twitter that his constituency, in his home village in the southeastern state of Abia, opened about three hours late.
“The turnout is incredible, the biggest I’ve ever seen in all the years I’ve voted in the village. Young and very old are all here,” he said shortly after the vote.
Buhari, a retired army general, resigned after serving the eight-year maximum allowed by the constitution, but failed to keep his promise to restore order and security in Nigeria, Africa’s top oil-producing country .
The two-party candidates who have alternated in power since the end of army rule in 1999 are facing an unusually strong challenge from a candidate from a smaller party popular with young voters.
With seats in the National Assembly also up for grabs, more than 93 million people registered to vote at some 176,600 polling stations.
The INEC did not comment on the delays, but had said ahead of election day that those who queued in time could vote after the official closing time.
The final tally of the 36 states and the federal capital Abuja is expected within five days of the vote.
Source: Terra
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