Counting of votes has commenced in some polling centres in the central area of the FCT.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria who went round some of the centres report that many voters stayed behind to witness the exercise.
One of them at a polling unit at Zone 1, Wuse, who did not want to be named, told NAN “we remain to witness the exercise to protect our votes.’’
At the Gaduwa Estate 017A polling unit, voters were seen waiting around for the votes to be counted despite the hot sun.
A voter, Mr Adakole Ichoja who spoke with NAN, said he had been at the polling unit since 5 a.m. and that he was waiting for the votes to be counted so he could defend his vote.
“I do not mind staying here till night time to ensure I defend my vote and see the outcome of the election here.”
He said the voting process was quite smooth despite challenges with the card readers which eventually worked, adding that it took him about 30 minutes to vote.
An elderly voter, Mrs Edith Onyeubani, also told NAN that she was waiting for the votes to be counted.
She said that the process had been smooth, but noted that the card readers failed at some point and voters had to vote manually.
Onyeubani said she hoped the votes of people who voted manually would count.
Another voter, Mr Titus Sule, said he was waiting back till the last vote was counted to make sure there was no foul play.
Sule added that he wanted to see if his candidate won at his polling unit.
He commented the ad hoc staff for doing a good job despite the challenges with the card readers.
A PDP party agent who spoke with NAN said she was satisfied with the process at the polling unit.
She said though the card readers failed at some point, the officials were able to rectify the problem.
NAN reports that INEC officials were seen cancelling the unused ballot papers in the presence of observers and party agents as of the time of filling this report.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the International Conference Centre, venue for collation of the presidential results.
Already, there is heavy deployment of security operatives in and around the centre with the entire area barricaded with vehicles.
There was also a heavy police presence at the FCT office of INEC at Area 10, Garki.
NAN sighted one Police Explosive Ordnance Department vehicle and a bomb detector at the gate of the commission, while men of the civil defence supported by sniffer dogs took position around the building.
