FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
The Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency by-elections was marred by poor turn out as majority of residents defied restriction of movements and instead opened shops and engaged in different activities.
Our Correspondent reports that, the market, shopping complexes, fuel stations and restaurants were opened while many other residents were seen engaged in thier routine activities.
According to some electorates, though the electoral materials arrived early and voting commenced at exactly 9:00am with security personnel deployed to ensure peaceful elections at many polls, large wards like Rido, Kakau, Kujama and Rijana with over 3,000 electorates each, suffered poor turnout.
Although, Bahago Jenom, an agent of the All Progressive Congress, APC at the 037 unit of LEA primary school, Sabon Tasha attributed the low turnout to poor enlightenment of the process to electorates.
He said many of the voters had left to either work on thier farms or run their different businesses within Kaduna metropolis.
Also, Exodus Okom, an agent of the African Democratic Congress, ADC narrated that, at thier polling unit 047 of Megero/Rido ward, they had to convey the sensitive materials themselves to the polling unit and begged for deployment of security.
He also lamented that the poor turnout was because the state government did not ensure compliance to the restriction of movement, hence, people engaged in thier routine activities.
Okon however expressed optimism that the turnout will improve before the conclusion of the elections.
Jacob Yahaya, an agent of the Labour Party at the polling unit 029 of Kujama ward appreciated INEC for commencing the elections early and without experiencing any technical hitches.
Non the less, he complained of the poor participation of electorates at the polling units but said efforts were made to encourage them to come out and vote.
An electorate, Christoper Amora attributed the low turnout to people becoming uninterested with the elections but was hopeful that the process will improve someday.
Generally, people flawed the restrictions and went about their businesses, while security personnel were spotted patrolling to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
