The bye-election into Borno Central Senatorial seat in Maiduguri yesterday, witnessed a low turnout of voters.
Many of the polling units, especially in the metropolis, were with fewer voters during accreditation and voting unlike the last April general election, which generated high interest among the people.
Based on what was gathered, most residents decided to remain indoors especially with the ban on vehicular movements yesterday in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area, which have the highest number of registered voters among the areas that constitute Borno Central Senatorial zone.
An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at a polling unit at Zannari ward described the turnout as unsatisfactory. The official said only 40 eligible voters were accredited at about 11.30am unlike the 2015 general elections when over 400 were accredited even before the time.
However, the situation at the various IDP camps under the central senatorial zone was different as hundreds of eligible voters came out to vote at designated polling booths within their camps while some also went out to the nearest polling units to exercise their civic right.
Many voters also came out to vote at Dalori Quarters, a sprawling community located some 2 kilometres to the business district of the city.
Meanwhile, early results from some polling units indicated both the candidates of All progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were in a close race even as the supporters of the two leading parties in the state boasted of victory.
The APC candidate, Baba Kaka Garba said, “the election so far is impressive as the turnout is encouraging and I have not received any complaint from any of my agents. I think INEC, security agents and the electorate should be commended.” He also said he was confident of winning.
On his part, the PDP candidate, Kaka Bolori, said: “I know they will try their best to rig the election, I am optimistic that I will still win with land slide victory.”