A Coaliation of Civil Society Organisations, under Centre for Strategic Conflict Management (CSCSM) has called for the cancellation of the just-concluded Bagwai/Shanono State Assembly by-election in Kano State, alleging widespread voter intimidation and violence.
Prof. Muhammad Dauda Mukhtar, leader of the observer mission, in collaboration with Bagwai/Shanono communities made the call while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Kano.
He said the centre, an INEC-accredited election observer, deployed its members across the 149 polling units in Shanono Local Government Area spread across 10 wards, including Faruruwa, Alajawa, Dutsen-Bakoshi, Gordon Dutse, Kadamu and Koki wards.
According to him, suspicious movements of people into Shanono were observed on the eve of the election, while campaign activities continued in violation of INEC’s ban on political rallies 24 hours before polls.
“On election day, armed thugs were seen chasing APC supporters from their homes and polling units to allow opposition parties manipulate ballot papers.
“Many voters were intimidated with dangerous weapons, leading to mass voter apathy as people fled for their safety,” he said.
The centre reported that security operatives were overstretched and unable to contain the situation, while delays in the arrival of election materials worsened tensions.
Dauda-Mukhtar added that hundreds of suspected thugs were later arrested with dangerous weapons, including locally made guns, cutlasses and knives.
“The situation created an atmosphere where the democratic process was undermined, as voters could not freely express their choice.
“Major political parties, including ADC, APC and PDP, condemned the violence and called for investigations and outright cancellation of the results,” he said.
He further stressed that no elections took place in Shanono, particularly in Faruruwa Ward, the largest ward in the area.
“Our team concluded that what happened in Shanono was a charade, not an election. Voters were chased away, while intimidation and violence held sway,” Dauda-Mukhtar noted
The centre recommended that political parties should sensitise their members on democratic order, while electoral offenders, including sponsors of violence and vote-buying, should be prosecuted.
“Free, fair and credible elections are the hallmarks of democracy. Without them, autocracy sets in,” he said.
The group therefore called for total cancellation of the election, insisting that it failed to meet the minimum standards of a democratic exercise.
The group include Shanono/Bagwai Academic Forum, and Youth Awareness Forum.