Lagos – Some voters have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for living up to its promise so far as most polling units across the country opened for voting on Saturday at 8 a.m, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
At Jebba Street by Herbert Macaulay, Polling Unit 14 Ebute Meta in Lagos State, no fewer than 25 persons already cast their votes while more are on the queue eagerly waiting to take their turn.
The polling agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) are on ground to monitor the exercise.
The agents of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC) are also present at the polling unit to perform their duties.
NAN reports that voting commenced exactly at 8 a.m as INEC staff were on hand to attend to the electorate.
Also, the Jebba Street Polling Unit 18 voting commenced at about 8:26 a.m with no fewer than 25 voters on the line to vote and several others already cast their votes, while 30 others were spotted on the queue.
Similarly, at the Kontogora Estate, Gwagwalada polling unit in the FCT, the poll opens at about 8.17 a.m with voters already itching to cast votes.
Also, voters turn-out at the Shadadi Primary School polling unit in Kuje Area Council of the FCT was impressive.
The polling unit opened at exactly 8.10 a.m with voters waiting patiently for the INEC officials to tidy up arrangement for the process to begin.
However, some voters in the Lugbe area of the FCT have expressed concerned with the slow nature of the process in some of the polling units.
Some of the early callers to the Lugbe Market polling unit 010 expressed worry that the commission had yet to deploy personnel and materials at about 8.45 a.m.
Mrs Sandra Nwaike, a voter who spoke with NAN said she was excited to be part of the exercise, adding however that the commission must brace up to the challenge of conduct a free and fair elections.
“I am disappointed after getting to the Lugbe Market polling unit 010, my polling unit early without meeting INEC officials.
“I do not feel good about this,” she said.
Mr Eric Okeredinma, another voter said the electorate are eager but the electoral body is a bit slow, adding “we expect the situation to improve’’.
The situation at Kugbo/Kofar Sarki polling unit in the FCT appears clumsy as late arrival of materials has attracted condemnation from the voters.
Elder Ayoka Donatus, 66-year-old man had complained of his legs having stood since 7 a.m to about 9 a.m without the commencement of the process.
Donatus said that he had to wake up as early as possible to be at the polling station to cast his vote on time.
“My Legs are failing me already. I have been here since 7 a.m to cast my vote and nothing has happened.
“I will continue to wait because this is the beauty of democracy, the voter’s power of choice,’’ he said.
He therefore urged the INEC officials to allow the aged, pregnant women and the physically challenged to cast their votes ahead of others.
However, Mr Cletus Pam, the Secretary-General, Media Development Imitative (MDI), said the process was on course, adding that the electoral body should be given a pat on the back.
He said the isolated hitch-ups identified across polling units were expected in view of challenges of logistics, adding that voters must be patient.
