The entire Nigerian populace numbering about 93.4 million (eligible voters) will be having their general elections today Saturday, February 25.
Being the African country with the largest population, their election has therefore been categorized as the largest democratic election to be hosted.
Apart from casting votes to elect a president, the citizens will be electing their representatives for Parliament and the National Assembly respectively. In Nigeria, 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives constitute their 469 legislators.
Reports indicate that the voting will commence at 8:30 am and come to a halt at 2:30 at the 176,606 polling stations.
With an aim of ensuring free and fair, elections devoid of anomalies, the Nigeria Immigration Service has shared a directive to close borders during the day of the election. The directive signed by MFR Isah Jere Idris, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service reads
“Prior to the elections, the Immigration Service stated that 6,000 voters cards and other Nigerian identification documents from illegal immigrants have been seized”
Nigeria’s forthcoming election has been classified as the most tightly contested since 1999 when military rule ended.
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged security agencies to be fair and courageous throughout the election process. Nevertheless, there has been a warning against any form of conflict preceding the declaration of the results.
Story by Salome Kwaw.