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Nigeria: Campaigning comes to a close as Nigerians vote Saturday for a new President
The electoral commission charged with organizing the election in Africa’s most populous nation meanwhile said it was on track for a smooth operation.
Some 68.8 million voters out of a total population of some 173 million are registered to vote in Nigeria, which is also Africa’s leading economy and top oil producer.
Ballot papers and election materials, including for the first time handheld readers to scan biometric voter identity cards, had been sent to the country’s 36 states and capital territory.
The electoral commission has in the past come under scrutiny for its preparedness, even after the initial February 14 vote was postponed because of military operations against Boko Haram in the northeast.
Jonathan’s People Democratic Party (PDP) voiced concern about the distribution of voter cards and the card-reading technology. But electoral commission spokesman Kayode Idowu, said the election “will be as flawless as humanly possible”, and that results would be announced within 48 hours of polls closing on Saturday.
In an interview with reporters, Buhari said he did not think the election could be tampered with but warned of “consequences” if there is foul play.
Source: AFP
