AS early as 8:00 am, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto have set out polling units as trooped out in hundreds to participate in today’s governorship and state assembly elections.

Residents came out early in large numbers to search for their names on the INEC voters list to be sure of their polling units.

The governorship election is taking place across 28 states of the country while the entire 36 states are participating in the state assembly election.

In Sokoto North, INEC officials arrived at the respective designations and started accreditation of voters for the election at 8:10 am. Also in Bodinga, Wammako LGAs of the state, accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at 8:30 am.

In Kaduna State, Sabon Gari Local government area, Jama’a Ward Polling Unit, the electoral process started at 8:00 am. The ICIR observed that the electoral process is going smoothly, although the voters complained of insufficient security personnel as only one officer was on ground. 

As early as 7:00 am, The ICIR observed that most streets were filled with excited residents going to cast their votes in Kano State. In Faggae LGA of the state, Faggae B 022 Polling Unit, the voting exercise started at exactly 8:30 am.

At 8:00 am, voting and accreditation of voters commenced at Polling Unit 33, High Court Gate, Ikeja, Lagos. Also, INEC officials arrived early at Polling Unit 022, Oshinfila Street, Anifowoshe, where the Labour party candidate  Gbadebo Rhodes Viviour will be voting.

The ICIR also observed early arrivals of INEC officials, smooth commencement of voting process and early turnout of voters in other parts of Lagos state.

Other places where The ICIR observed early turnout of voters and early arrival of INEC officials are Abia, Enugu, Anambra and Niger states.

Mustapha USMAN

Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M