Accreditation and voting have commenced in some polling units in the thirty-four Local Government Areas of Katsina State in the ongoing local government elections in the state.
Sensitive and non-sensitive materials arrived the polling units early today following their early dispatched to the Local Government Areas yesterday.
Meanwhile, the state government had declared today work-free, to enable voters to participate in the elections.
Our team of correspondents who went around some polling units in parts of the state report that so far the voting process has been peaceful and orderly.
Security presence was observed at some of the polling centers as men of the Nigeria Police Force and civil defense operatives were seen around the polling centers keeping vigil on the process.
The state police command had assured residents of security flashpoints in the state of adequate measures to ensure that they exercise their franchise.
Our correspondents also observed moderate turn-out at the early hours of voting, with skeletal activities by residents due to the restriction of movement.
In the meantime, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Katsina State Command says it has deployed over 2000 operatives across nooks and crannies of the state for the provision of adequate security to local government elections.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer DSC Mohammad Tukur Abdara and made available to newsmen in Katsina.
The Command said it collaborated with sister agencies to ensure adequate security on critical national assets and infrastructure.
The statement admonishes officers and men of the command to ensure law and order before, during and after the election and deal decisively with any individual or group attempting to disturb the election process.
The statement quotes the State Commandant of the Corps as urging all key players to operate within the electoral guidelines as enshrined in the electoral act for a hitch-free exercise in the state.
Isma’il Adamu