There is a low voters turnouts during the Saturday local government election in Niger state.
In most of the polling units visited by Daily Trust in Chanchaga, Bosso, Kontagora and Rafi local government areas of the state only few voters turned out to cast their votes.
Our correspondent also reports that allegations of votes buying and ballot boxes snatching trailed the process.
In Kagara, the headquarters of Rafi local government, election was peaceful excerpt for few skirmishes in polling units such as Salihu Maiketifa polling unit 001, Chikun Gari ward, Sabon Gari and Kongoma areas.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contestant for the local government, Malam Haruna Marafa alleged his party agents were beaten and chased from some polling units.
He also alleged incidences of ballot boxes snatching and votes buying in Yaba, Tegina central and Gini among other alleged malpractices.
He called for cancellation of results in the affected areas if the poll must achieve some measure of credibility.
However, an official of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) in the area, Malam Mohammed Yerima told our correspondent that the process has so far been credible.
According to him, the commission has not received report of any malpractices by political parties in contention and their agents.
“We have not received official reports or information of any malpractices by anyone, so as far as we are concerned the process has been smooth and peaceful,” he explained.
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