Voters in Garki Area of Abuja turned out in large numbers to their polling units on Saturday, in preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived at the polling units at 8:20 a.m, with few security personnel observing.
In Areas 1 and 2 polling units, hundreds of voters were seen waiting to cast their votes at 7 a.m.
Some of the voters expressed hope in the electoral system, while urging Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully.
Mrs Nneka Nwokonneya commended INEC for keeping to time and urged its officers to ensure fair and credible elections.
Another voter, Jude Ezekiel, called on Nigerians to come out and exercise their franchise as it was their right to vote.
Melisa Bright advised Nigerians to be well behaved and vote wisely, “with the look of things, this election will be peaceful.”
There were free vehicular movement within the areas in spite of the movement restriction.
Meanwhile, voters at Ikpoba Okha Local Government Council in Edo State, Ward 1, Polling units 13 to 16 have expressed worries over non-availability of voting materials at the centre as at 10 am.
Voters started trooping into the polling units as early at 6:30am while security personnel started arriving the centres by 8:35am
The electorate later resorted to a prayer session, asking God to take charge of the political and economic situation in the country.
Mrs Mary Ofure said the delay in the arrival of elections materials at the polling unit was a cause for concern
“They don’t keep to time. I only washed my face and came on time hoping that I will vote early and go home.
“I want to go home and return later in the day’’, she said.
Another voter, Mr Paul Osazee, said: “I had to travel down to this area yesterday so that I can vote on time. We don’t know who we are to report this delay to.
“People are already getting frustrated, especially those who came very early”.
Another voter who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “I am ready to wait till I vote today. But the availability of materials is not good for the process.”
Residents of Maiduguri, Borno have deserted the streets as they massively trooped to the polling units to participate in the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.
The residents had fully complied with the restriction of movement order by the Police.
Voting did not start as at 8:30am.
The Presiding Officer of Sir Kashim Polling Unit 001, Mr Solomon Jonah, blamed technical hitches for the delay.
A visit to the centre where materials for the election were being distributed showed that many polling officials were waiting to collect them as at 9 am.
And in Lagos, no fewer than 20 voters were waiting to be accredited at polling stations 24-04-03-050 and 24-04-03-051 in Festac 11, Amuwo Odofin area of the State as at 8.52 a.m. while the INEC officials were still setting up.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and materials arrived the polling units about 7.40 a.m.
Jude Onwuemene, one of the voters awaiting accreditation, said that his name was on the voters list for 24-04-03-051 and he was anxiously waiting to vote.
“I believe this is going to be a rebirth for Nigeria, a new beginning and by the Grace of God, a new dawn,” he said.
The police were on ground to maintain law and order.
