election day in Ikoyi

campaign material reaching new heights

election at last

Saturday March28th, 2015 is a long expected day, the day of presidential elections in Nigeria which have been postponed by 6 weeks on ground of security concerns with Boko Haram and hence the government's promise to defeat them within 6 weeks to allow peaceful and safe elections to take place in safety.

The Army has announced on Friday March 27th the re-conquest of a town in the hands of Boko Haram as proof of their promise and Boko Haram beheaded more than 20 people on the same day as a response, they also allegedly abducted 500 women and children a few days before.

restricted movement

After 8am, no cars are allowed to move around in town, except obviously those who are duly authorized like the vans that will bring the polling stating booths.
Every voter was asked to register nearest to his house so that he does not need to drive to go and vote.

From my window I can see the place where the polling station in my street will be installed (it is not yet there). However some early birds are already waiting there since 8am, perhaps they'd like to be the first to vote or be relatively well positioned in the queue to avoid long delays.

the polling station table is coming

Time goes by, the heat is building up and people wipe their face with handkerchiefs. Discussion goes on with large arm movements about when election is going to begin. The polling station will be installed on the roadside there in the midst of plant nurseries. A nice setting though not offering too much shade to the line of voters.
Finally a van is bringing election material, it is 11.15am so the installation can begin and anytime after that the vote will be able to commence.

unpacking the election table

Overall, everything is running smoothly in that area of Ikoyi, at 5pm some voices rise but not for long. Every voter that has turned up has finished voting. The sunset can take place peacefully

ready to vote

News transpire that vote was delayed in some places and that all voters did not manage to cast their vote, as the BBC describes. As a result booths will be opened on Sunday and movement might be restricted as well in those areas. But overall it is a big relief that everything is running fairly well.

One do also hope that the results as they are disclosed will be peacefully accepted.

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