The local government elections in Zamfara State were marked by notably low voter turnout, as residents largely continued with their daily activities rather than participating in the electoral process.
Held on Saturday across the fourteen local governments, the elections were organized by the Zamfara Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) to elect new local government chairmen and councillors.
Many shops in the state capital, Gusau, operated as usual, with numerous residents prioritizing their businesses over voting. Some residents attributed the low engagement to a lack of awareness and insufficient mobilization efforts from the state electoral commission.
Despite the low turnout, the election proceeded smoothly without any reported security incidents. Election observers commended the state government for ensuring a secure electoral process, crediting the peaceful environment to the commitment of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration to maintaining law and order.
Governor Lawal and his wife, Hurriya Dauda Lawal, cast their votes at polling unit 012 Madawaki in Gusau, praising the orderly conduct of the elections. “So far so good. What I have seen when I came in was orderly, and it is still very orderly. I have cast my vote, and my wife has cast her vote too, so we are good to go,” he stated. He also encouraged residents to maintain peace during the voting process.
Addressing the absence of candidates from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Lawal remarked, “This is an election, and it is free for every political party. Those that did not participate made their choice.”
A total of 11 out of the 18 registered political parties in the state, excluding the APC, are contesting for 14 local government chairmanship positions and 147 councillor positions.
The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) is expected to announce the official results following the conclusion of the voting process.
