The Independent National Electoral Commission has explained that the low voter turnout witnessed during Saturday’s by-election in Kano State was largely influenced by the ongoing Ramadan fast and the belief among the public that the poll involved only a small number of candidates.
According to The PUNCH, during an on-the-spot assessment of the election in the Kano Municipal area, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, told journalists that the exercise had been peaceful and orderly.
According to Zango, “As far as security is concerned, you can see there are no issues. It’s very unlike Kano.
We really want to appreciate and commend citizens; they have behaved responsibly. No violence. No threat whatsoever visible or invisible. So we are very happy.”
He noted that several factors contributed to the low participation of voters.
Zango said, “First of all, I think the timing maybe Ramadan. Second, I think the general feeling is that this is a very small election involving only a few candidates. Very few parties. Nine contestants, I think.”
Addressing questions about why many opposition parties were absent from the contest and allegations that the commission may have influenced participation, the REC clarified that INEC had not received any formal complaints from political groups.
He stated, “We have not received any accusation or anything. That they are not participating is entirely the responsibility of the parties.
We don’t decide who participates. Whoever conducts primaries, submits a candidate, uploads it, and satisfies all guidelines in the Electoral Act becomes a candidate.”
Zango added that only the political parties themselves could explain their decisions not to take part in the election.
