Voters in the Akwa Ibom State rerun elections have started voting in Essien Udim Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
A visit by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), revealed that polling started as early as 9 a.m.
At Ukana Ikot Ntuen Ward 2 Unit 9 with three voting points, voters were seen on queue casting their votes.
NAN observed that security was tight as they were more in numbers than the voters who turned out to cast their votes.
One of the polling officers who is a corps member, Mr Tunde Adeyemi, said that materials arrived early and voting began at the unit by 8.30 a.m.
He said that there was no challenge as the card readers were working optimally.
At Ward 9 unit 17 and 18, voters were seen casting their votes.
However, NAN observed also that there was no All Progressives Congress (APC) agents in some of the polling stations visited in Essien Udim LGA.
At ward 9 unit 30, the electoral officer, Mrs Anietie Udo, said the exercise was peaceful as voters were orderly.
She said that the only challenge encountered was the ink pad and it was improvised.
NAN reports that the APC State Chairman, Mr Ini Okopido, on Friday announced the withdrawal of the party from the elections.
Okopido alleged that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mike Igini, had been biased to the APC and as such the party would not participate in rerun.
NAN observed that there was no restriction of movement in some parts of Essien Udim Local Government Area as market people and vehicles were moving normally.
