Residents of Kaduna have expressed disappointment over the late arrival of electoral officials and materials at the polling centres ahead of today’s local government elections in the state.
The voters have therefore berated the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) for the unfortunate development.
KADSIECOM had fixed Saturday, October 19, for the conduct of the elections in the 23 local government areas of the state.
KADSIECOM chairperson, Hajara Mohammed, had in July, announced the date and timetable during a meeting with political parties and other stakeholders in the state.
A check on Saturday, however, revealed that prospective voters had turned out at their polling units in parts of the metropolis as early as 7:00 am.
However, there were no KADSIECOM officials or election materials at the PUs.
The hugely disappointed voters, including youths and women, could be seen in groups discussing the ugly development while a handful of security agents were stationed at strategic positions.
Mrs Abigail Musa, a resident of Narayi, who spoke at the LEA Narayi polling station, said she came out as early as 7:00 am and to her disappointment was yet to see any sign of election.
“It’s rather saddening as you can see a lot of people with enthusiasm but are shocked as this is rather unusual,” she said.
Mr Sani Bege of Ungwan Sunday polling station also said people had reported at the polling units in the area as early as 6:30 am and have been waiting for the commencement of the exercise.
“We just hope that the whole effort would not be futile as already, there are alleged planned malpractices,” Mr Bege added.
Mr Jamiu Mohammed of Barnawa Secondary School polling unit on his part, said the people of the area were already agitated about the development.
“As you can see, the youths are already anxious and are becoming impatient as no explanation is even coming from any quarters,” he said.
(NAN)
