3 hours ago
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The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State, Ambassador Abdu Zango, has attributed the low voter turnout recorded in the Ungogo and Kano Municipal by-elections to the timing of the polls and the limited participation of political parties.
Zango spoke with journalists on Saturday while monitoring the exercise across parts of the state. He described the elections as peaceful but acknowledged that turnout was low in several polling units.
“First of all, I think the timing, maybe Ramadan. Second, I think the general feeling that this is a very small election involving only two candidates and very few parties. Nine contestants, I think,” he said.
Despite the low turnout, the REC said the voting process was calm and orderly, with no reports of violence or security breaches.
“As far as security is concerned, you can see for yourselves, no issue. It’s very unlike Kano. We really want to appreciate and commend citizens that they have behaved responsibly. No violence. No threat whatsoever, visible or even invisible. So we are very happy,” he stated.
Zango also addressed concerns about the absence of some major opposition parties in the by-elections.
He said INEC had not received any formal complaints from any political party regarding the process.
He added that they have not received any accusation or anything.
He explained that any political party that conducts valid primaries, submits candidates and meets the requirements of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines is eligible to contest.
“So that decision is for the parties. I think it is the parties that will answer that question for you,” he added.
The by-elections were conducted to fill the vacant seats in the Ungogo and Kano Municipal constituencies in Kano State.
REC blames timing, limited party participation for low turnout in Kano by-elections
