Political thuggery and electoral malpractices characterized Saturday’s Local Government Election in the northern Nigerian city of Kano.
While some people decided to stay indoors, many who left their homes to participate in the exercise regretted late arrival of election materials.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adenrele Shinaba confirmed to
Pointblanknews.com that many arrests were made, “but I cannot tell you the figure now because the exercise is still on.”
Pointblanknews.com gathered that a number of people got injured during the election as political thugs of rival parties engage in free-for-all fight using dangerous weapons.
An African Independent Television (AIT) reporter told Pointblanknews.com that thugs attacked their crew at Gama Ward in Nassarawa Local Government Area, destroying their vehicle.
Violence and electoral malpractices were also recorded in Kura, Kunchi, Shanono, Tsanyawa and Bebeji Local
Government Areas where ballot boxes were reportedly snatched.
Kano state Governor, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso confirmed reports of irregularities, noting that, “from the reports I’m receiving, I learnt that election materials were not supplied to some polling centers on time as well as cases of violence in some areas; but no one was
killed and our security operatives are on top of the
situation.”