Three major opposition parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) — were absent from the ballot papers in Saturday’s Kano State House of Assembly by-election, according to reports by Arise News.
The by-election is being held to fill two vacant seats in the state legislature following the deaths of the former lawmakers last year. The deceased legislators were members of the NNPP prior to their passing.
Arise News reported that while nine political parties were listed on the ballot, the PDP, NNPP, and ADC were not included. The absence of the three prominent opposition parties has sparked questions about the circumstances surrounding their exclusion from the ballot.
Earlier coverage by Punch Online indicated that the exercise recorded low voter turnout across several polling units in Kano Municipal Local Government Area, despite the early arrival and preparedness of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Security personnel were visibly deployed across the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of voters and electoral staff. Observers noted a strong security presence; however, many polling units reportedly had only a handful of voters present.
INEC officials were seen seated at polling stations with electoral materials arranged and ready, awaiting the arrival of more voters as the exercise progressed.
