Voting commenced in the Zuru State House of Assembly by-election in Kebbi State on Saturday amid reports of low voter turnout across several polling units in the constituency.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were observed waiting for voters to arrive at some polling units visited during the early hours of the exercise.
At Alhaji Budo Polling Unit in the Rafin Zuru community, election officials had completed preparations for the voting process but were largely idle as voters were yet to arrive in significant numbers to cast their ballots.
Observations from various polling centres across the area indicated a generally low turnout, with only a few voters present at the time voting commenced.
In Zuru town, commercial activities continued uninterrupted as residents went about their normal routines. Shops, filling stations and other business centres remained open, suggesting limited disruption from the by-election.
At Mango Waje Polling Unit in the Manga area of Zuru town, voting began at approximately 9:14 a.m., with only a small number of voters seen on the queue when electoral activities commenced.
As of 9:31 a.m., some INEC officials were yet to arrive at their designated polling units, while others were reportedly awaiting further directives before proceeding to their assigned locations.
The by-election is being conducted to fill a vacant seat in the Kebbi State House of Assembly. Electoral authorities and security agencies have deployed personnel across the constituency to ensure a peaceful and credible process.
The exercise comes amid renewed efforts by INEC to strengthen voter participation and confidence in the electoral process. However, the low turnout recorded in the early stages of the election has raised concerns about voter engagement in the constituency.
Election observers are expected to continue monitoring the exercise as voting progresses across affected polling units in the Zuru constituency.
