About 11,000 Benin Republic nationals yesterday converged at the Republic of Benin’s Consulate-General’s premises in Lagos to vote in their country’s presidential election.
Most of the nationals who came from Badagry, Ijanikin, Sango and other communities in Lagos, arrived at the polling centre as early as 7:00 a.m. for accreditation. Mr Joel Houndolo, an Elections Supervisor in Benin’s National Electoral Commission (CENA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the election that he was impressed with the people’s turnout.
“Even outside our country, we have here about 11,000 Beninese happily coming out in Lagos to participate in their nation’s Presidential election. “This is the second time that we are having our elections in Nigeria, and we are very happy with the interest of the Beninese resident in Nigeria in taking part in our national elections from here.
“Let me also say that their interest in voting in our country’s election from here, also shows the peace they are enjoying in Lagos and across Nigeria,” he said. Houndolo said that the votes would be counted at the premises, before being forwarded ‘securely’ to Benin’s National Electoral Commission (CENA) for the general announcement of the results, with others from across the world. Dr Faustin Kpanou, Consul-General of the Republic of Benin in Lagos, said that the conduct of the election in Nigeria was to further promote the existing cooperation between Benin Republic and Nigeria.
Kpanou commended the Federal Government, as well as the Lagos State Government for providing the consulate with 50 policemen, to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election in Lagos. The consul-general said that his government and Beninese resident in Nigeria would continue to enjoy the ‘’friendship and neighbourliness” currently existing between the two countries.
According to reports, the election was conducted under heavy security presence, where eligible voters were requested to present their voters’ cards before entry into the premises. Voters were also led out of the premises soon after casting their votes by officials of Benin’s National Electoral Commission (CENA).
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