*Alleges serious voter apathy

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Electorates grow gray hair waiting in vain as electoral officials for the ongoing local council elections slated for 19th October 2024 in Kaduna state could no be heard or seen at various poling units across most parts of Kaduna South and chikun LGAs of the state.

Voters’ turn out, according to our correspondent who monitor the situation and filed the report, was generally very low in U/Boro, Sabon Tasha, Narayi, amongst other communities monitored in the LGAs.

In particular, he reported that, in LEA Primary school unit 1 and 2, JESSAN school, Sir Gbagyi and Foresight Model Schools poling units visited, in U/Boro, only less than 25 and 5 people each were seen waiting to cast their votes in vain, as at 10am -12pm when he was there.

He also reported that in one of the units, no voter was sighted on ground at all, exception an elderly woman who popup for misunderstood him with his kit for electoral official, but later left.

Our reporter also reported that, Zamani Foundation observer, a State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) accredited observer, was on ground at LEA ,U/boro but refused to share her experience with journalist when contacted.

However in an interview, a voter who introduce himself as Teddy Taete lamented the absence of electoral officials, adding that he came to units 1 and 2, LEA primary school U/boro since 9:30am but could not see any sign of officials till now.

He said the implication of late coming of officials is that people who are tired of waiting and left might not come back to vote again.
“For instance if I’m tired of waiting I’ll go back home and forget it, and I’ll not come back again, for what”, he retorted.

All effort to react election management official was futile due to protocol.

However, an officer of NSCDC told our reporter in confidence that there were complaint of election result sheets shortage, and officials are waiting for it even for those in central area of Kaduna main town.

Most potential electorates who shared their views with us for refusing to go out to vote blamed lacks vote count and democratic dividends, saying the candidates should go and vote themselves.