The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano State, Amb. Abdu Zango, has commended security agencies for ensuring what it described as adequate security during Saturday’s State House of Assembly by-election.
Zango made the remarks while addressing journalists after monitoring polling units across parts of the state.
He described the security situation as calm and orderly, noting that no incidents were recorded during the exercise.
“As far as security is concerned, you can see for yourselves — no issue,” he said. “We really want to appreciate and commend the citizens and voters.”
The REC added that voters conducted themselves peacefully throughout the process.
“No violence. No threat whatsoever — visible or invisible,” he stated.
Zango, however, attributed the low turnout recorded in some polling units to the ongoing Ramadan fast and the limited scope of the election.
“Maybe because of Ramadan. Secondly, this election is only in two state constituencies,” he said, adding that only a few parties fielded candidates.
He noted that nine political parties participated in the by-election: Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APN), Action Peoples Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Workers Party (WPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The REC also addressed concerns over the absence of candidates from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that INEC had not received any formal complaints from the parties.
“That they are not participating is entirely their responsibility. We don’t decide who participates. Whichever party conducts primaries and satisfies all the necessary guidelines as contained in the Electoral Act is eligible to field candidates,” he said.