Nigeria: President could not vote due to problems with … – TVI24

The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, who recandidata the post, tried to vote on Saturday in the company of his wife, Patience, but problems with the new voting technology forced him to leave the polling station.

The leader in exercise, you want to win a second term, came to the polling station in his hometown, Otuoke in southern Bayelsa State, by 09:20 local (08:20 in Lisbon) to start the process accreditation.

However, the technological system to read biometric data of voter identification cards, which is being used for the first time, apparently did not work, forcing Goodluck Jonathan to postpone the intention to vote.

The candidate, 57, whose party (Democratic Party) showed concerns about the technology used in the vote and the ability of members of polling stations in use it, stated that ‘there may be a problem ‘.

“Maybe it’s me,” joked, as called for patience.

“This is the first time we are using this technology, permanent voter cards, card readers,” he said, adding “not worried” despite the problems reported in other polling stations throughout the country.

At least two people were killed in attacks on polling stations

At least two people died in the attacks tables to vote in northeastern Nigeria, allegedly carried out by the radical Islamic group Boko Haram, according to residents and an election official, interviewed by Agence France Presse (AFP).

The attacks occurred in the villages of Birin Bolawa and Birin Doe in Nafada district in the state of Gombe, which has been repeatedly attacked by radical Islamists.

“We could hear gunmen shouting, ‘Do not you warn you to stay away from the election’ ‘said an election official, who requested anonymity.

The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau said in a video message released last month that militants of that group would disrupt the elections, which they consider “anti-Islamic”.

“This election will not happen, even if we are dead. Even if we are not alive, Allah will not allow to carry out, “he said at the time.

The same electoral official said masked gunmen arrived in a van Birin Bolawa ‘pick-up’ by 08:30 local (07:30 in Lisbon), shortly after the approval of voters have begun.

A voter was shot dead and the other fled in panic.

“They caught fire to all materials related to the elections, which abandoned when we fled,” added the same source.

Karim Jauro, an inhabitant of Birin Fulani, said the second attack happened by 09:15 local, adding that if they had known the first attack, they would have left the polling station.

“As soon as the people saw them, they began to flee, but the gunmen opened fire at the polling station, killing one man,” he said.

Karim Jauro also reported that then “burned materials bound to the election.” “We believe they are of Boko Haram, who warned the people not to participate in the election,” he said.

About 68.8 million Nigerians are called to the polls today to elect a new president and a parliament in a stressful environment because of the risk of political violence and the threat of Islamist attacks .

The candidates for head of state is 14, among which is the first time a woman, but the dispute, which is expected fierce, involves the outgoing Goodluck Jonathan and former General Muhammadu Buhari, who led Nigeria the head of a military junta between 1983 and 1985.