The rerun election in five polling units of Kambarawa and Sakajiki Wards in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State witnessed a large turnout of voters, particularly women.
The exercise, which commenced between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., was generally peaceful as security agencies provided adequate protection for voters, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, and election materials.
Our correspondent observed that the process was smooth, with voters orderly joining queues to exercise their franchise.
Party officials, agents, and other stakeholders were also present at the polling units to monitor the exercise.
Speaking with newsmen at Kambarawa polling unit, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Gumel, deployed to Zamfara to coordinate security for the election, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of both voters and security personnel.
He explained that the presence of senior officers across polling centres boosted confidence and discipline among operatives.
“With the level of deployment, voters should be rest assured of a peaceful atmosphere,” Gumel said.
He further noted that no incidents of violence or hostility had been reported since the commencement of the exercise, while commending journalists for their balanced reporting, which he said helped to prevent misinformation and tension.
However, at Sakajiki Ward, the Chairman of Talata Mafara Local Government, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar Yari of the PDP, alleged that voters were intimidated by bandits operating around the Dan Sadiya axis.
“This unit is just a kilometre away from the hideout of a bandit leader. Our supporters were threatened that if they voted for PDP or any other party apart from APC, they would face action. That is why you see only one party voting here. For us in the PDP, this is not a free and fair election,” he alleged.
He further claimed that despite the heavy security presence, operatives were siding with one party, alleging personal intimidation and urging journalists to interview affected voters.
On his part, a member of the House of Representatives representing Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency, Dr. Abdulmalik Zubairu Zannan Bungudu of the APC, commended the process while speaking with journalists at Takasu village, Kambarawa Ward.
He described the turnout as impressive and lauded the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), adding that there were no cases of ballot snatching or vandalisation.
“So far, the process has been peaceful and security agencies are on ground,” he said.
Similarly, at the volatile Alko 002 polling unit in Sakajiki Ward, a stalwart of the APC, Alhaji Sha’ayau S. Pawa, commended both INEC and security agencies for what he described as a “wonderful job.”
As of the time of filing this report, voting was still ongoing peacefully, with collation of results expected at designated centres.
Security personnel deployed for the rerun election included the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), while the military was stationed at a distance for possible intervention if required.
Non-state security actors were not allowed within the election premises.
