el-Rufai Cancels Council Poll in Jaba, Kaura LGAs
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Saturday announced the cancellation of council poll in Jaba and Kaura Local Government Areas, citing ballot snatching, among others issues for the decision.
Announcing the poll’s cancellation after casting his vote at Unguwar Sarki in Kaduna, Mallam el-Rufai said reports received so far indicated that the election in other local councils were going on smoothly and without hitches.
According to report from Jaba Local Government Area, thugs in a vehicle snatched and went away with eight (8) ballot boxes. In some areas, delay in the arrival of voting materials was yet another reason for the cancellation.
In Kaura, some of the areas experienced delay as the materials arrived late. To avoid unnecessary hitches, the poll was cancelled to avert any breakdown of law and order among disgruntled voters who had arrived early in the day to cast their votes. There were also instances of late voting, mix-up in staff deployment to polling centres, among others.
At Unguwar Rimi ward in Kaduna North Local government, the turnout of voters was very impressive, with many turning up at the polling units as early as 8:07 am.
A voter, who gave his name as Ibrahim Musa, said he was initially apprehensive when about to use the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to cast his vote, but later discovered that in less than five minutes he was through with the entire process.
Forefront correspondents report that Kaduna residents are expectantly awaiting results of the council poll from the various collation centers across the state.