The by-election for the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State recorded low voter turnout on Saturday, despite the early arrival of electoral officials and adequate security at polling units.
Correspondents monitoring the exercise observed that voting commenced smoothly at the polling units visited, with no major incidents reported.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials arrived at most polling units before 8am, while election materials were also deployed on time.
Security personnel were present at the polling units visited, including polling units 021, 022 and 03 in Dawaki Ward, as well as 037, 020 and 017 in Kofar Yamma Ward.
Six political parties contested the election. They were the Action Democratic Party, All Peoples Party, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party and Peoples Redemption Party.
Voters who spoke during the exercise commended INEC for what they described as a smooth and peaceful process.
A voter, Mustapha Abdullahi, described the election as one of the most peaceful conducted in the area in recent times.
Abdullahi commended the electoral officials for their arrangements but attributed the low turnout to the nature of the election.
According to him, by-elections into state constituencies usually attract fewer voters compared with general elections.
Another voter, Aisha Hamisu, said she participated in the election to exercise her right to choose a candidate.
She expressed hope that her preferred candidate would emerge victorious and fulfil the promises made to voters during the campaign.
The exercise was generally peaceful across the polling units visited, with voters conducting themselves orderly throughout the voting process.
