Election: Women turn out en masse in Sokoto, Plateau

 The turnout of voters at Saturday’s Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections in Sokoto State is low, compared to the March 28 presidential election.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) observed early arrival of electoral officers and materials in most of the polling units while accreditation of voters  commenced as scheduled.

At Sarkin Baura Nimzaniyya polling unit, in Dange-Shuni Local Government Area, accreditation was smooth in spite of  the low turn out of voters.

The Presiding Officer of the area, Malam Yahya Bakura, said there was shortage of incident forms in 10 polling units but would be provided before the closing time for the exercise.

He said that the security arrangement was satisfactory.

But in Tambuwal Local Government Area, there was high turn out of electorate, especially women.

At Dogon Daji, many women were seen on the queue, waiting to be accredited.

In Tureta Local Government Area, the number of voters was lower.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Aliyu Tureta, expressed optimism at the outcome of the election.

“It will be a repeat of the presidential election which was won by the APC,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters, adding that so far there was no report of card reader failure in any of the voting centres.

In Shagari Local Government Area, there was large turn out of electorate, especially women.

In Plateau, the turnout was impressive, especially in Qua’pan and Pankshin local government areas whivh winessed large turnout of voters for accreditation.

It was, however, observed that officials of INEC were still being awaited in most polling units in Qua’pan and environs as at 12 noon.

Mr Stepehen Patrick, a resident of Jibam and propective voter, said the people would wait patiently for the INEC officials.

”I believe the the delay in the arrival of INEC officials can be traced to some hitches, which to me is better addressed at their office than coming here to face voters with those problems. So, no cause for alarm; we will wait, ” he said

The situation at the polling units in Qua, Kurgwi, kwala, Dumark and Namu, all in Qua,pan, was entirely different, as accreditation had started but the process was slow.

But the Head, Voters Education and Publicity of the commission in Plateau, Mr Imahereobe Osaretin, said  the polling units had been catered for and asked for patience from voters.

Election observes, both local and international, were seen at various polling units visited