Nigerians in the southern state of Edo braved the coronavirus and went to the polls on Saturday to elect a new governor in the country's first election since the start of the pandemic. The poll comes as Nigeria struggles to contain the spread of the virus which has so far infected some 56,956 people and claimed 1,096 lives. More than 1.7 million voters in Edo are expected to elect a new governor for another four years amid heavy security, with gun-wielding police officers and soldiers seen on major roads, screening vehicles. "I am happy that people are here with their face masks but physical distancing is completely ignored," nurse Florence Okonzua, 28 and a mother of two, said in Benin City, Edo state capital. She added that the way voters were milling together could lead to the spread of the virus. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, held general elections last year, but there was no governorship poll in Edo. Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said adequate arrangements are in place for the election. "Everything is set. We have deployed personnel and materials for a smooth and hitch-free poll," Timidi Wariowei, state INEC spokesman, told AFP. "We have also ensured that voters comply with the guidelines on physical distancing, hand washing, use of sanitisers and wearing of face masks before voting," he added. Final results are expected Sunday. Although 17 political parties have fielded candidates for the vote, it is a two-horse race between President Muhammadu Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). Incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP is up against the APC's Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Obaseki was elected on APC's platform in 2016 but defected to the PDP after being denied the ticket because of intra-party squabbles. joa/mbx