Nigerien presidential election: Voting commences in Kano, Sokoto

Accreditation of voters and voting in Sunday’s Niger Republic Presidential election are going on peacefully in Kano centre, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
A correspondent monitoring the election reports that the simultaneous processes commenced around 8 a.m. with large turn-out of voters at the Niger Republic Consulate office, venue of the election.
Security was also very tight as both the Nigeria policemen and security operatives from Niger Republic were seen keeping vigil at the venue.

It was also observed that people coming into the venue were being thoroughly screened to ensure that only eligible voters were allowed into the venue.
Besides, there were adequate election materials at the two designated polling units.
A cross section of voters who spoke on the arrangements commended the Nigerian government for deploying adequate security personnel at the venue.
One of the voters, Abduollahi Amma, expressed satisfaction with the entire process, particularly the security arrangement.

“I feel happy about the security arrangement, we feel as if we are at home,” he said.
Another voter, Samadou Haruona-Amaduo, also expressed happiness about the entire security arrangement at the venue.
“We are satisfied with the whole arrangement because peace is the major factor in any process,” he said.
Voting has also commenced at the Sokoto centre.
Dozens of eligible voters were seen queuing up, waiting to be accredited by the officials of the Nigerien National Electoral Commission, CENI.
Several Nigerian security agencies were seen keeping vigil at the centre, while accreditation and voting were going on simultaneously.
President Mahamadou Issoufou is running for a second term with a promise to crush Islamist militants and develop the economy in one of the poorest countries in the world.
He faces 14 candidates including Seyni Oumaru, leader of an opposition coalition.
(NAN)