By AMOS MATHEW, Kaduna –
Domestic election observers have described the recently concluded bye-election in Kaduna State as largely credible, transparent, and reflective of the will of the people, while calling for intensified voter education to address apathy.
The Advocacy for Sustainable Development Initiative (ASDI), which monitored the election in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and Basawa/Kewaya State Constituency, made this known during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kaduna on Tuesday.
According to the group, the election, which covered 36 wards and 1,165 polling units, was generally peaceful, with both sensitive and non-sensitive materials arriving on time at most locations.
Speaking on behalf of the observers, ASDI Team Leader, Abdul Rasheed Shuaib, said polling units opened as scheduled and that the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned effectively, helping to reduce incidences of malpractice.
He also commended the visible presence of security personnel throughout the exercise.
“The process was smooth and orderly, with security agencies maintaining law and order across the constituencies,” Shuaib stated.
Despite the overall positive assessment, the observers noted pockets of voter apathy, particularly in some polling units, which they said points to the need for improved civic education.
“While the election was largely hitch-free, there was low voter enthusiasm in certain areas.
This highlights the importance of sustained voter education to build trust and participation in the democratic process,” he added.
The group also confirmed the arrest of one opposition party member, Shehu Aliyu Patangi, who was allegedly caught with a large sum of money believed to be intended for vote-buying. Shuaib said the suspect had confessed and is currently under investigation by the police.
Commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for timely deployment of personnel and materials, ASDI also praised the effective use of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which they said enhanced transparency and bolstered public confidence in the outcome.
The observers, further, lauded the professionalism of security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for ensuring a peaceful voting environment.
They called on the media to continue promoting fact-based reporting to combat misinformation during elections and urged civil society organisations to intensify voter sensitisation ahead of future polls.
In conclusion, ASDI described the election as peaceful, fair, and a step forward for democratic consolidation in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.
