Presidential, NASS elections free and fair in Kano—Observers

Groups of foreign and domestic observers in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections have confirmed the elections in Kano state free and fair.

This came barely a day after the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised concerns alleging that the elections were characterized by some irregularities.

Addressing a joint Press conference in Kano yesterday, both domestic and foreign observer organisations affirmed that the elections were transparent, free and fair, devoid of any form of interference.

The Spokesperson, Pan African Women Project, a South Africa based organisation, Miss Belinda Maduna however, identified failure of smart card readers in some polling units as well as inability of some voters to find their names on the voters register as the major challenges encountered during the voting process.

According to her “Our observations were based on personal verifications both in the metropolis and also in the Polling units in various Villages in the rural areas of the 44 L.G.A of Kano State.

“The elections began accordingly across the Ancient city of Kano state and her rural areas as at 8:00 am prompt with unbelievable turn out in various voting units and locations to exercise their civic responsibilities, notwithstanding the earlier postponement.

She said 67% of polling units in Kano began their accreditations between 8:00 and 9:30am, thus were able to complete the voting exercises in good time.

According to her the challenges observed in Kano during the elections with Objectivity; were that “Quite a number of voters with their PVCs did not find their names in the voters register as such could not vote e.g Dala L.G.A.”

She said at Nasarawa L.G.A, Hotoro south, the election process was truncated as a result of failure of the smart Card Reader to read voters finger prints.

“In spite of the challenges, we observed a very high extent of political inclusion and participation across the State attested to by the glaring overwhelming turn out at the polling units and their eagerness to cast their votes and also waiting to protect their votes.

She commended the security agencies for creating a peaceful environment for the eligible voters to exercise their franchise emphasizing that “the elections in Kano State was peaceful, violence free and without intimidations.”