Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari casts his vote at a polling station in the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Daura in Katsina State, Nigeria, Feb. 23, 2019. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari who seeks for a second term voted in his hometown of Daura in northern Nigeria. (Xinhua/NAN)
ABUJA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nigerians turned out en masse on Saturday to elect their president, a week after the polls were delayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Citizens of the most populous African nation will also elect a total of 469 members of the National Assembly during the election.
More than 72 million Nigerians are expected to vote in the general elections in the country, according to Mahmood Yakubu, the electoral chief who told media earlier.
In the capital Abuja, a large turnout of voters was seen as early as 7 a.m. local time. In many parts of the city, electorates were seen awaiting the arrival of electoral officials and election materials.
Voting was scheduled to officially commence amid tight security across the country at 8 a.m. and close by 2 p.m. local time, INEC said.
Large turnout of voters has also been reported in most parts of the country, despite last week's delay of polls, according to domestic and foreign observers.
"I am very impressed with the large turnout of voters. Despite the delay of the polls by one week, it is highly impressive to see this crowd of voters. Let us hope this will end well, as it has started well," a political party's agent identified as Ahmadu told Xinhua.
Shops were under lock and key; private and government offices remained shut and roads, including those leading to the government secretariat, were deserted; security patrol vehicles were seen driving on major roads in Abuja to ensure a smooth electoral process.
In some polling units, local traders selling food items were seen making brisk business.
"After trekking a long distance to this polling unit to exercise my civic responsibility, I think it is good enough to buy some food and drinks here," Vincent Arinze, a voter, told Xinhua.
"I've just cast my ballot and feel great," he added.
The election is reported to be a two-horse race between Muhammadu Buhari of the governing All Progressives Congress party and Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The incumbent President Buhari is seeking a second term of office on the platform of the APC. He came into power in 2015, becoming the first Nigerian opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent president.
Just hours before the opening of polls scheduled on Feb. 16, the electoral body announced a one-week delay in polling, citing logistical issues.
