ACCREDITATION and voting have commenced nationwide as Nigerians elect a new President and National Assembly members.
The ICIR observed that the process has been orderly and peaceful although there were few places where late arrival of INEC officials and election materials made residents angry.
The presidential and senatorial election which is taken place across the 36 states and the FCT are being contested by 18 political parties. Data from INEC shows that 87,209,007 of registered voters collected their PVCs and would likely be participating in the election. The figure translates to 93.3 per cent of total number of registered voters which is 93,469,008.
These registered voters are expected to vote across the 176,846 polling units as updated by INEC.
The ICIR reporter observed that in Sokoto North, Wammako LGA, the INEC officials have started distributing and accrediting voters.
Also, in Sokoto South, The ICIR observed that the election process has started with the accreditation of voters. The atmosphere is equally calm as voters conduct themselves ordely.
Similarly, in Lagos State, election process has started in most polling units. However, INEC officials arrived late at the polling unit of the APC presidential candidate. The officials arrived at 9;40am, about 1 hour after the official time for the commencement of the election.
The ICIR observed that accreditation has commenced in Edo State. At Adeolu Enumah Oliseh PU 20, Ward 3, Oredo LGA, the presiding officer has distributed materials and accredited voters.
In the FCT, Gado Nasko polling units 1-7, Gwagwalada Area council, election has started and some residents had cast their votes.
Accreditation has also begun in PU 12, Ganaja/township Ward, Ajaokuta LGA of Kogi State. Voters are out in their numbers.
Similarly, in Kwara State, at PU 10, Ward 02, Ilorin West LGA, members of the INEC staff are seen attending to voters.
In Anambra State, voting and accreditation have started at polling unit 019, Ward 2 Amatutu village-Agulu of Aniocha LGA.
However, in Anambra North, polling unit 008, ward 005 many voters are stranded as INEC officials and security operatives are yet to arrive as at 9:50 am.
The ICIR also observed that in Abia North LGA of Abia State, the election is yet to commence in any polling unit as INEC adhoc staff are still at the convergence point, Umukalika by 9:39 am.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M