LOW voter turnout has marred the conduct of the local government election in Zamfara State.
The exercise was held on Saturday across the fourteen local governments as residents largely went about their regular activities despite the polling exercise.
Organized by the Zamfara Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC), the elections to elect new local government chairmen and councillors were marked by a lack of enthusiasm from the electorate, leading to scanty attendance at various polling units.
Channels Television observed that shops in the state capital, Gusau, operated as usual, with many residents opting to attend to their businesses rather than participate in the electoral process.
Some attributed the low voter engagement to inadequate awareness and mobilization efforts by the state electoral commission.
“It is normal I opened my shop, I am not aware of any election going on today, how can I go and vote, I have not even heard on any radio or newspaper about the election up until now,” said, Abubakar Abubakar, a shop owner
Despite the turnout, the election proceeded without any security incidents
Election observers on the ground commended the state government’s efforts in ensuring a smooth and secure electoral process.
According to them, the peace observed during the polls can be attributed to the commitment of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration to maintaining law and order.
Lawal and his wife, Hurriya Dauda Lawal cast their ballots at polling unit 012 Madawaki under Galadima ward in Gusau, the state capital
The governor while speaking with journalists commended the peaceful process of the election, urging residents to conduct themselves in an orderly manner
“So far so good, what I have seen when I came in everything was orderly and is still very orderly, I have cast my vote and my wife has cast her vote too, so we are good to go,” he said.
I am always an advocate of peaceful election and I will still appeal to everyone to be peaceful so that this process will go smoothly.”
On the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) not fielding any candidates in the election, Governor Lawal said “This is an election and it is free for every political parties, those that did not participate it is their choice.”
“11 out of the 18 registered political parties in the state, excluding the All Progressives Congress (APC) are contesting for 14 local government Chairmanship positions and 147 councillors positions in the state
The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) is expected to announce the official results after the conclusion of the voting process.