Despite the absence of the conventional security agencies at the polling stations of the local government elections in Kano, there has not been any report of violence as people cast their votes.
However, they were replaced by the Hizbah (State Shari’a police), KAROTA (Kano Road Traffic Agency), Kano State Cooperate Security and the Vigilante, who provide the required security throughout the exercise.
The turnout can only be described as fair as only six out of the 19 political parties in the state have participated in the exercise with some major opposition that include the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Saturday LG Election across the 44 local government areas witnessed fair turnout without the usual crowds at pilling stations.
Voting at places like Tudunwada, Rimin Gado, Gwale and the Kano Municipal, elections were conducted peacefully without traces of violence.
It was however observed that even though election had started on time at Tarauni PHC polling centre which houses three polling units, there was generally low turnout of voters.
Roads, shops and other business places were all deserted and people are waiting for the election results which ended by 2pm.
However, at the Gandun Albasa Special Primary school where there are 21 polling units, many voters were seen in the queues waiting for their turn to cast their votes.
A cross section of voters who spoke on the election expressed happiness for the peaceful conduct of residents against what had been anticipated.
“Many people anticipated crisis during the election but thank God it’s peaceful,” one of the voters said.
Also commenting on the election, another voter said he was happy the election was generally peaceful as many residents complied with the order on restriction of movement.