Nigeria apologizes for critical election voting delays.

Polls opened on schedule at 07:30 GMT in Nigeria, but delays have been reported in some areas as millions of voters turned out for a closely watched presidential election. More than 87 million people are eligible to cast their ballots, with the winner of the election set to replace outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

The three frontrunners in the race are Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, who have been touring the country in a bid to win the hearts and minds of voters. As the candidates made their way to polling stations early on Saturday, excited crowds looked on, eager to catch a glimpse of their preferred candidate.

 

However, election officials and voting material have arrived late or not at all in some areas, leading to frustration among voters. Reports indicate that voting machines have also malfunctioned in some areas, further adding to the delays.

 

The economy and insecurity have dominated the campaign, with voters looking for a candidate who can address these issues and bring about much-needed change. The country has been grappling with a recession, high unemployment, and rising food prices, while insecurity has been a major concern, with the country facing a wave of terrorist attacks and violent clashes between ethnic and religious groups.

 

Eighteen candidates are running to replace President Buhari, including three women, and there are also elections for senators and House of Representative members.

 

As voters wait patiently to cast their ballots, the atmosphere is tense but peaceful, with security forces deployed across the country to ensure a smooth and peaceful election. The election has been closely watched by the international community, with many hoping that Nigeria will set an example for other African countries on how to conduct free and fair elections.

 

The electoral commission has assured voters that their votes will count, and that measures have been put in place to ensure the integrity of the election. However, concerns remain about the delays and malfunctioning voting machines, with some calling for a re-run of the election in affected areas.

 

As the day wears on, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the winner of the presidential election. With the stakes high and tensions running high, the world is watching to see if Nigeria can successfully navigate this critical moment in its history.