Accreditation of voters begins amid tight security in Kaduna, Bauchi

Kaduna -Accreditation of voters for the reschedule governorship and state houses of assembly elections in Bauchi and Kaduna states started, Thursday, amidst tight security.

In Kaduna enthusiastic voters turned out for the elections as early as 6 a.m. for accreditation, the News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN reports.

Although there is heavy security presence in all parts of the state, the turn out has been fair and about 20,000 policemen were deployed to ensure security during the exercise in the state.

NAN reports that the police are also providing security for students sitting for the WAEC examination in the state.

At  Unguwar Sarki, Unguwar Shanu, Malali and other parts of the metropolis the exercise commenced peacefully.

In Birnin Gwari there is deployment of security agents to the area where violence erupted during the presidential election.

The acting Chairman of the local government council, Malam Yusuf Soba, said the measure was to check the break down of law and order in the area.

He said that policemen were deployed in all the 201 polling units in the area, while special attention was being given to major towns.

In Bauchi State, the exercise took off peacefully in Bauchi town at about 7.30 a.m. in most polling units.

This is in spite of calls for the postponement of the elections by the coalition of political parties in the state over security concern.

NAN reports that the turnout was low and there was more security presence than what obtained during the previous elections.

At the Bauchi State Hotel polling unit in Bauchi metropolis, eligible voters were on queue as early as 6.30 a.m. for accreditation.

Also at Bauchi Club polling unit in Bauchi, accreditation started before 8 a.m. due to the large turn out of voters there as election official also arrived early for the exercise. 

At Yelwa and GRA  parts of the metropolis people were seen walking to the polling units.

As at 8.20 a.m. less than 30 voters had been accredited at Baban Takko Poultry polling unit. 

At  Rev. Dauda Dabara unit, less than 20 women were on queue, when compared to the more than 400 that had turned up during the presidential election.

A voter, Mrs Diyana Musa, said she tried to convince women to come out, but they refused.