Observers hail INEC, security agencies in Kano
International and local observers in the just- concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kano have hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ensuring free, peaceful and violent free elections in the state.
In a joint-press conference at Bristol Hotel on Tuesday, the South African-based Pan African Women Project and Nigerian-based Center for Intervention, all expressed satisfaction at the way INEC and security agencies performed their duties during the election.
Spokesperson of Pan African Women Project, Belinda Maduna, said: “Elections began at the scheduled time, with unbelievable turnout, notwithstanding earlier postponement of the polls by INEC.”
She said over 67 percent of voters began accreditation as early as 8 am, a development she described as encouraging.
Belinda also stated the body was pleased that election materials arrived most of the polling units in good time, but expressed regret that quite a number of voters could not vote, even with their PVCs, as they could not find their names on the voters’ register.
She, however, lamented the inability of the card readers to function well in some polling units and called on INEC to rectify such challenges in subsequent elections.
Deputy National Coordinator of the Center for Intervention, Dr. Ibrahim Baba, condemned the Bebeji pre-election violence in the state, pointing out such incident discouraged voters, particularly, women from voting.
Dr. Ibrahim, however, commended the Kano electorate for their peaceful conduct during the election, adding that, “Kano remains a model in terms of peaceful conduct of the election, compared to what happened in other states.
“Police and other security agencies ensured that lives and property of the people were protected. People came out freely without intimidation. They voted and waited peacefully for their votes to be counted.
“In Kano, no issue of ballot-snatching and arson or vote buying. Kano is a model, Kano is fine, good and cool.”
