- INEC presiding officer in veterinary polling unit, Faiza Mohammed, says turnout of women for the Bauchi south senatorial by-election was impressive
- Four women decline to comment after chanting campaign slogans of President Buhari while casting vote in the poll
- Intimidation ballot snatching reportedly mar Kogi bye-election
Some female voters at a polling unit in Bauchi caused a stir when each of them kissed her ballot paper and shouted “Sai Baba” before casting her vote.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the drama, involving four women, occurred at the veterinary polling unit of Dawaki Ward in Bauchi metropolis.
Their action raised suspicions that the women might have mistaken the Bauchi south senatorial by-election for the forthcoming general election, which will feature President Muhammadu Buhari as a contestant.
“Sai Baba” is the common phrase used by supporters of President Buhari while campaigning for him.
The women declined to comment when contacted by NAN.
The presiding officer in charge of the polling unit, Faiza Mohammed, however said turnout of women was impressive, with some of them, over-enthusiastic.
“The women are very excited and eager to cast their votes; some of them were kissing their ballot papers and shouting ‘sai Baba’ before casting their votes.
“I do not know which ‘Baba’ they are referring to,” she said.
Meanwhile, the bye-election to fill the vacant seat in the Lokoja-Kogi federal constituency which started on a peaceful note on Saturday, August 11, was later marred by violence, vote buying and intimidation in Lokoja.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent monitoring reported that the election was marred by political thugs going from one polling unit to another to perpetrate fraud.
Although policemen and other security agents were seen at the police stations, they looked the other way, while thugs terrorised people.
At the polling unit at Paparanda Square, voting could not hold as thugs invaded the venue, snatching election materials and beating up people queuing to vote.
The same scenario played out at polling units at Mary Primary School, Karaworo, Adnakolo and Crowther Secondary School, where thugs also disrupted voting