The re-scheduled National Assembly (NASS) elections started today as voters across the country came out in large numbers amid tight security to participate in the rescheduled elections.

In  the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja  it was reported that there were early arrival of materials in most polling in the city. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Wuse, Garki, Kabusa, Karu and Gwarimpa, INEC staff and ad hoc officials arrived at their duty posts as early as 7 a.m. with electoral materials.

The turnout of voters was impressive in some polling units and in others voters started turning out in groups as at 8 a.m. and there was orderliness, with heavy presence of security personnel, local and foreign election observers.

At Dutse, Jigo War College, Usuma Dam in Bwari Area Council, accreditation was smooth and the exercise witnessed an impressive turnout and peaceful accreditation.

In Kwali and Abaji in FCT, election materials arrived early in all the polling units visited with INEC ad hoc staff drawn from the NYSC accrediting voters.

Security men were seen on standby to maintain the peace and orderliness.

At Otuoke, President Goodluck Jonathan’s hometown, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, voter turnout was impressive and INEC started distributing materials on time.

INEC Public Relations Officers in Bayelsa, Mrs Priscilla Imoudu-Sule NAN that accreditation had also commenced.

 In Bauchi, long queues of eligible voters was observed in most polling stations as early as 8 a.m and accreditation started early in Zannuwa, Madadi, Kofar Ilela, Ardo, Murtala Mohammed Way, Nassawa Primary School and Makama wards.

 Mr Yusuf Mahmud, expressed happiness that the process was smooth and stress-free and confirmed that he was accredited as early as 8:30 a.m. while heavily armed mobile policemen were strategically deployed in the metropolis.

A cross section of voters told NAN that they were determined to exercise their civic responsibility in spite of initial postponement of the elections.

In Jigawa, accreditation of voters started as early as 8 a.m. with large turnout of voters in most polling units, with female voters dominating the process while in Yola, some voters complained of slow process of accreditation.

Areas visited in Yola included Katuka ward in Kyawa Local Government, Garu, Dutse and Chyeko in  Birnin Kudu Local Government.

At Road 213, Federal Housing Estate, Abuja, the polling materials arrived in the centre at 6.55 a.m., while security personnel were present in all the polling centres visited.

 Mr Eddwin Onoja, a civil servant, told NAN that he was happy to see the INEC officials and other workers, who arrived with the materials before 7 a.m.

“I came very early because I want to witness everything, I am very eager to vote,’’ he said.

In Bwari Area Council, Abuja, all the polling units within the area got the necessary election materials for accreditation and voting on time.

In Kuje, FCT, distribution of sensitive election materials began at 5 a.m.

In Ibadan, INEC and security officials arrived in polling centres early enough and accreditation began immediately amid tight security.
In Lokoja, election into National Assembly elections began few minutes after 8 a.m. and the voters turned out massively amid tight security.

In Katsina metropolis, there was impressive turnout, especially women, who turned out more than the number of those that turned out for the postponed election. 

Accreditation began at 8 a.m. amid massive security.

In Daura, also in Katsina State where Retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the CPC presidential candidate will vote, there was a massive turnout of voters.