By Elizabeth Ogunjobi
The ongoing by-elections in Gombe and Kano have been characterized by low voter turnout despite early arrival of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC officials at the polling units in the two states.
In Gombe, INEC is conduction by- election to fill the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election seat.
In Kano, the by-election is being conducted into the Dawakin Kudu state constituency.
However, both by-elections were characterised by low voter turnout.
A correspondent who monitored the exercise in Gombe metropolis reports that few voters had turned out for the election in some of the polling units visited in the metropolis.
At some of the polling booths election officials equipped with election materials were at the centers as early as 7:00 am, waiting for the voters.
The exercise began at about 8:50 in some of the centres amid low voter turnout.
Ms Princess Ayuba, a Presiding Officer (PO), Doma Area Court PU, said that election officers arrived at the centre as early as 7:00 a.m.
She said that voting commenced at about 8:50 a.m, adding that the exercise was being conducted smoothly.
Low voter turnout was also recorded at Doma and State Library polling units, as few voters joined the queues to cast their votes.
However, in some polling units, the exercise witnessed high numbers of female voters, who trooped out en masse to exercise their franchise.
The exercise was generally peaceful in Gombe metropolis as security agencies, including the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives were seen manning the polling units, while people were going about their normal businesses.
Also, there was low voters turnout during the by-election into the Dawakin Kudu state constituency, Kano State.
But correspondents who monitored the exercise report that there were adequate security arrangements in all the polling units visited.
Six political parties; Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) fielded candidates for the election.
INEC officials arrived at most of the polling units before 8 a.m., and the election materials were also made available in good time.
in all the polling units visited, the exercise went on smoothly, while voters conducted themselves in a peaceful manner.
Some of the polling units visited include 021, 022, 03 at Dawaki ward, as well as 037, 020, and 017 at Kofar Yamma ward.
Meanwhile some voters who spoke with NAN expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise and commended INEC for a seamless exercise.
According to Mustapha Abdullahi, a voter, the by-election is among the most peaceful elections conducted in the area in recent times.
He appreciated the arrangements put in place by INEC and the manner officials conducted the exercise.
Abdullahi however attributed the low turnout to the nature of the election, saying that normally by election into state constituency doesn’t attract high turnout of voters.
Similarly, Aisha Hamisu, another voter said they were at the polling unit to vote for a candidate of their choice.
She said they were hoping that their candidate will win the election and fulfill the promises he made to them.(NAN
