The Kano State House of Assembly by-elections holding on Saturday have recorded a low voter turnout in several polling units across Kano Municipal Local Government Area, in spite of the early arrival of Independent National Electoral Commission officials.
Access TV Nigeria reports that as of mid-morning, many polling units had only a handful of voters, with INEC officials seated and prepared, awaiting more constituents.
Security personnel were strategically deployed to ensure order and safeguard voters and electoral staff.
Access TV says from checks at various polling units it observed that only a handful of voters waiting to cast their ballots.
INEC officials were seen seated and prepared, with electoral materials arranged, as they patiently awaited the arrival of more voters.
Observers, however, noted a strong presence of security personnel deployed across the area.
Officers, armed to the teeth, were stationed strategically around polling centres to ensure order as well as to safeguard both the voters and electoral staff.
Alhaji Abdullahi Isa, expressed surprise at the low attendance, while commending the security agencies for their professionalism.
Audu Musa, who voted at Kankarofi polling unit, described the process as smooth and peaceful but also decried the low turnout.
Electoral officials however remained optimistic that participation could increase later in the day, with the stakeholders hoping for a peaceful, transparent, and credible exercise.
