Accra, April 17, GNA - Former President, John Agyekum Kufuor, leader of the 40- member African Union (AU) Observer Mission for Nigeria's Presidential elections, on Saturday, toured some polling centres, as the first phase of the polls got underway nation-wide. About 74 million people are voting to elect a president from a field of 20, including incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan.

A press statement, issued and signed by Frank Agyekum, Spokesperson, Office of former President J A Kufuor said, the first phase of Nigeria's polls, the electorate go through an 91accreditation= ' process, where they validate their names from the voter's registers at the polling centres.

The 91accredited' voter's finger is marked with indelible ink and given a ticket, which enables him to vote later on. This process lasts from 8am to 12 noon.

Actual voting starts in the second phase, which starts at 12:30 hours. Only those, who have been accredited earlier, are allowed to vote. All accredited voters must be in queue by 12 noon. Anybody arriving after 12 noon is prevented from joining the queue and is not allowed to vote.

The statement said, Former President Kufuor, who was instantly recognized and hailed by many of the voters at the centres he visited, commended the smooth and orderly run of the polls, as voters waited patiently for their turn.

Security presence was high and an atmosphere of calmness prevailed, as the streets were empty of vehicular activity. Final results are expected in 48 hours in Nigeria's third general elections, since returning to civilian rule in 1999, after which the AU mission will issue a statement 17 April 11