INEC Blames Ramadan for Low Kano Turnout

Voter turnout remained low in Saturday’s Kano State House of Assembly rerun elections, with many polling units seeing only a handful of voters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said.

The commission attributed the low participation to the timing of the elections during the month of Ramadan and the perception that by-elections are minor exercises.

Kano State Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Abdu Zango, observed the exercise and said many voters stayed away because they viewed the election as less major.

Zango added that turnout might increase later in the day, but noted the early apathy.

INEC Blames Ramadan for Low Kano Turnout. Credit: Daily Trust

“Two things are responsible for the voter apathy, which includes Ramadan and the nature of the election which people see as not a big one, but I believe before closing, many may turn out,” he said.

Observers also noted that major opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), were not present on the ballot.

Despite the low turnout, Ambassador Zango confirmed that there were no security issues during the exercise, following the mobilisation of security personnel.

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Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.