Voters in Anambra state and around Nigeria’s south-east have turned out in large numbers.
Voters began to arrive at polling stations as early as 06:00 GMT (07:00 local time).
They quickly filled up as election officers arrived and set up their equipment in preparation for the vote.
By midday, the polling places were packed with hundreds of voters eager to exercise their right to vote.
Several voters said they were inspired to vote because of the large security presence deployed around the region.
Security checks were installed at important road crossings in both urban and rural areas.
Today, movement has been restricted across the country, leaving major roads deserted.
Anambra is the home state of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who voted about midday with his wife at a voting station near his house.
He praised the voting process as peaceful and well-organized, and he stated that security worries in the south-east have been overblown.
By 13:00 GMT, some polling stations in neighboring Imo state had failed to receive election officers and voting materials.
Hundreds of voters say they have been waiting for hours to vote, but the patience has so far been in vain.
Enugu state, which borders Anambra, has also had a high election participation.
Yet, the majority of voters have expressed dissatisfaction with the accreditation procedure.
