Election stakeholders have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the supplementary election in Kaura Namoda South State Assembly Constituency in Zamfara.

INEC had fixed Thursday for the rerun polls in the five polling units of Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards of Kaura Namoda LGA.

This followed the cancellation of over 3,000 votes during Saturday’s by-election in the area.

The election materials and INEC staff arrived at the polling units in the early hours of Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

The election also recorded a large turnout of voters, with adequate security arrangements in all five polling units.

Rep Abdulmalik Zubairu (APC-Zamfara) and also the leader of the APC delegation team at Takasu polling unit, described the conduct of the election as credible and peaceful.

Mr Zubairu, representing Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency in Zamfara, stated that the election had started in an orderly and peaceful manner.

“As you can see, our voters have been on the queue since morning in an orderly manner, casting their votes without any problem.

“I want to commend INEC staff and management for taking their responsibilities with high level of seriousness.

“I also want to commend security agencies for massive deployment of their personnel to ensure the election is conducted peacefully,” he explained.

Mr Zubairu also commended the voters for their active participation, saying that it had indicated a trust of the electorate in democracy.

Also speaking, one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Kasuwar-Daji polling units, Muhammad Sanusi, commended the arrangements of the supplementary election by INEC.

Mr Sanusi urged the security agencies to ensure the presence of their personnel up to the end of the exercise.

He described the voter turnout for the election as a sign of improvement in voters’ awareness of democracy.

Also speaking, Rep Sulaiman Gummi (APC-Zamfara), said, “The election was free, fair and credible. We want to thank INEC for making the election so credible, which led to the active participation of voters.’

Mr Gummi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in the state, expressed confidence that the election would end peacefully.

“We are expecting a large number of voters and you can see they are still coming in large numbers to exercise their constitutional rights,” he added.

Shaaya’u Sarkinfawa, the zonal coordinator, Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari Constituency Office, predicted a victory for the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the end of the election.

Mr Sarkinfawa, who spoke with journalists in Sakajiki community, commended the large turnout of voters and their peaceful conduct during the exercise.

“You know earlier, in last Saturday’s by-election, the APC recorded tremendous success, despite the cancellation of these polling units; even no,w our people are still willing to vote for our party,” he said

Addressing journalists in Kasuwar-Daji community, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), deployed to the state for the rerun election, Muhammad Gumel, said the Nigerian Police Force ensured deployment of a large number of other security personnel.

According to the AIG, the police will perform their duty professionally during the elections.

Mr Gumel said the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, were monitoring the elections in the five polling units to ensure the safety of the electorate.

“We urge our personnel and officers to avoid any unholy act and work together to ensure the election ends in a peaceful manner,” he added.

Security personnel deployed for the election at the polling units comprised the Nigerian Police, State Security Service (SSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps, among others.

(NAN)