Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
Breaking News:

Lagos: Voting underway in some polling centres as accreditation continues in others

Voting had commenced in some polling units visited in Lagos by 1.30p.m following the completion of accreditation, but accreditation remained uncompleted in some others.

voters-guardian-newspaperVoting had commenced in some polling units visited in Lagos by 1.30p.m following the completion of accreditation, but accreditation remained uncompleted in some others.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the centres report that voting had commenced at polling unit 009 in Ward 09 of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area at 1:30pm.

Voters queued up in the scorching sun, taking turns to cast their votes at the polling unit.

NAN reports that there were three queues, one of which was dedicated to the elderly, pregnant women, and people living with disabilities who were being given priority.

Speaking to NAN, Mr Francis Ekechukwu, a 70-year old man, said the exercise had been well organised.

Ekechukwu, who said he had been voting since Nigeria’s Independence, said that there were measures to checkmate electoral fraud, unlike before.

“There are checks now; before, it used to be rowdy, someone could vote as many times as possible which is now being eliminated,” he said.

At Omole Phase 1, in Ikeja Local Government Area, a downpour disrupted voting for about two hours at the Omole Junior Grammar School in Lagos.

NAN reports that the rain, which started soon after voting started at 1.30 p.m. and stopped at about 3.20p.m., made INEC officials to stop the voting shortly after it commenced.

Voting in the three units, 28, 29 and 30 within the Grammar School was stopped for the rain to subside.

The voters looked for shelter while others brought out their umbrellas.

Mr Kunle Ajani, a 60-year-old man, told NAN that even if it had to rain all day, he would wait till he votes.

“The rain is not an excuse to go home. We have decided to be here today to vote, and vote, we must.

“Voting is once in four years. It is an obligation and a sacrifice we have to make for the nation, he said.

NAN reports that voting, however, resumed immediately after the rain.

In Epe, voters shunned a rainfall to cast their votes in some polling units.

Voting commenced at 1.37p.m in Ibowon, Odosuwola, Ejirin, Aorimedu and Papa areas.

Also, at polling unit 008, on Ahmed Street/Baoku Reg area 12 – Ikate of Surulere LGA, voting started at 1.30pm and voters were seen casting their votes in an orderly manner.

At Polling unit 038, Joseph Shnygle/James Robertson junction, Shitta / Ogulana area of Surulere, voting started at 1.37pm and was also being conducted in an orderly manner.

Alhaja Ganiyat Adeowo, a 77- year-old woman, despite her challenges in walking, was enthusiastic about the election.

“I want to see the Nigeria I used to know as a younger person. I am here to vote and I pray that my vote counts.

“We need leaders that care, leaders that have conscience,” she told NAN.

At a polling unit in front of House 30, Polling Unit 021 of Shitta Akerele reg Area of Surulere LGA, voting started at 1.30pm.

The card readers had functioned well when accreditation process started, though INEC officials did not arrive on time.

NAN reports that voters at some polling units in Surulere, where there was rainfall, continued to queue up and cast their votes inspite of the rains which started around 3. 10pm

Mr Dike Dickson, one of the voters who defied the rain said,” I am here to vote, and I must vote, come rain, come sunshine.”

At some polling units in Ward 10 and Ward 11 on 411 Road Gowon Estate, Alimosho Local Government, Lagos, voting started at 2.30 p.m.

Casting of votes also commenced at 1.30p.m. in three of the four polling units within the Anglican Primary School, Marine Beach Road, Apapa, in Lagos.

The three polling units in the school complex where voting started are Unit 011, Ward 05, Apapa Registration Area 09; Unit 014, Ward 05 Apapa Registration Area 09; and Unit 012, Ward 05 Apapa Registration Area 09.

Accreditation of about 30 voters was, however, yet to be completed at Unit 013, Ward 05 Apapa Registration Area 09 located in the school complex.

A voter, Mr Chidi Elue, 53, said that it was essential that everything was done in conformity with the time slated for them.

He said that the peaceful atmosphere during Saturday’s polls in the area was commendable.

“Every official of INEC and other officials external to INEC, party agents and election monitors played their roles well.

“We have not heard of anywhere in Apapa that there is violence,” he said.

NAN reports that voting was also underway at Polling Unit 015 at Arakan Barracks on Boundary Road, Ajegunle.

Voting started at Polling Unit 095 in Agboyi/Ketu area of Kosofe Local Government Area at 2.10p.m.

NAN reports that the process was peaceful and orderly, however, the situation was not the same at Polling Unit 092 and 072 as voting had not started there due to faulty card readers.

2 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    LORD God,Sthank you for the victory of your son – President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the Polls.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Where is guardian, punch, ThisDay, APC, Tinubu, and others who supported these failed machines: Please;

    Talking nonsense, INEC and JEGA knew that Card Readers will not work, instead of them to use what will work, they decided to scuttle the election, Nigerians are smart and have produced of 30-million graduates, they are watching. Let Tinubu and APC take note. Card Readers do not know APC or PDP, all will suffer it. I commend Tribune Newspaper, it was the only News paper that did side any political party