Bauchi State local government election recorded low voter turnout as voters shunned polling units.

Journalists who monitored the exercise in Bauchi metropolis reported that elections had not started in most polling units as of 12:00 p.m.

Residents in the area were seen going about their normal business despite a work-free day declared by the state government to enable the electorate to participate in the election.

At some polling centres in the Dawaki, Tirwun, Kofar, Ran and Yelwa areas of Bauchi, there were no voters or election officials, despite the deployment of security personnel.

Ali Sidi, a voter, said he went to his polling unit as early as 8:00 am, but no election officials were present.

Mr Sidi attributed the apathy to the delays in the early commencement of the exercise.

Another voter, Farouq Yakubu, said he cast his vote at about 1:30 p.m. at a polling unit in the Tirwun area of the metropolis.

He said many voters left the polling centres after the election official arrived late.

However, polling units in the Yalwan Duguri area of Alkaleri LGA recorded high voter turnout.

A high number of voters trooped to the polling units to exercise their franchise, while election officials reported to the centres as early as 8:40 am.

Accreditation and voting started early at 008 Bakin Dutse, Dan Kungibar ward, as voters waited in the queue while security personnel maintained order.

Mustapha Diko, an election official, said the exercise was going smoothly.

Some voters, Musa Mohammed and Hanatu Suleiman, expressed hope that the exercise would be peaceful.

Governor Bala Mohammed, who cast his vote in the election, commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

He urged those who emerge as winners to govern with the fear of God for sustainable social and economic development at the grassroots.

Some opposition parties boycotted the election, alleging that the exercise contravened the 2026 Bauchi State Electoral Act.

The parties included the African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). 

(NAN)