LG polls delayed in ‘parts of Kaduna’ over late arrival of election materials

Accreditation and voting for the Saturday council election in Kaduna reportedly started behind schedule in many polling units across the state.

According to NAN, as of 9:30am, there were no officials of the Kaduna Independent Electoral Commission in most of the polling units visited.

Out of the 22 polling units visited in Barnawa, Kakuri, Kabala and some other areas, security agents were reportedly spotted in only two units.

At Ungwan Muazu area of Kaduna South, there was slight apprehension over the change of voting unit, but the situation was brought under control.

Similarly, in parts of Zaria LGA, voting began amid low turnout of voters.

NAN also reports that electronic voting machine failures were experienced at some polling units at Fada in Zaria, with some of the machines indicating that voting began at 1pm when the time was not yet 9:30am.

However, the situation was said to be different in Igabi LGA as election materials arrived around 7:30 am in most of the polling units, with security personnel also on ground.

Sagir Umar, supervisory presiding officer of Rigasa centre, said all election materials were dispatched to the units around 7:30 am.

He expressed satisfaction with the presence of security personnel in all the voting units.

According to NAN, there was partial compliance with movement restrictions in Zaria as intra- and inter-state transporters were seen engaging in brisk businesses at various motor parks around Kwangila flyover.

Commercial tricycles and motorcycles were also seen operating in Zaria and Sabon Gari.

The LG election is taking place in 19 out of the 23 LGAs of the state.

The exercise in Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Zangon Kataf and Kujuru LGAs has been rescheduled to hold on September 25 for security reasons.