By Ayomide Otitoju
The Bauchi State local government council elections are taking place across the state on Monday, with the government declaring a public holiday to enable residents to participate in the exercise.
The Bauchi State Secretariat was largely deserted, while markets remained open and streets were busy as voting got underway.
Reports from polling units in Bauchi metropolis indicated widespread voter apathy, with many ad hoc staff of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission waiting for voters to arrive.
As of noon, some polling units had recorded no voters, while others witnessed only a trickle of voters.
The low turnout followed a decision by opposition parties in the state to boycott the election. The Coalition of Opposition Parties announced the boycott at a press briefing on Sunday, alleging that the exercise was designed to favour the ruling party.
However, Governor Bala Mohammed described the election as peaceful after casting his vote. He also said the withdrawal of some political parties would not undermine the legitimacy of the exercise.
The state government had declared Monday a work-free day for civil servants and other public workers, including employees at the local, state and federal levels, as well as bank workers, to enable them to participate in the election.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, said the decision was aimed at giving eligible citizens the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote without disruption from official duties.
Workers involved in essential services were exempted from the public holiday.
The government urged residents to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise in accordance with the law.
It also called on voters to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the election.
