The battleground is set for two brothers to slug it out for the vacant Katsina North senatorial seat.

The district, where President Muhammadu Buhari hails from, will be keenly contested by Kabir Babba-Kaita, hoisting the flag of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and Ahmad Babba-Kaita donning the colours of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The seat became vacant following the death of Mustapha Bukar, the senator who represented the district until his death in April 4.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed Saturday August 11 for the by-election after receiving a notification from the National Assembly indicating that the seat is vacant.

According to the Katsina State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Jibrin Zarewa, six political parties are expected to contest the seat.

Of the six, the two major contenders are born of the same father but different mothers.

Kabir, a retired customs officer had emerged the sole candidate of the PDP following the withdrawal of his major contender, Mani Nasarawa. He had never contested for nor held any known political office before.

For his brother however, it wasn’t an easy ride, Mr Ahmad, currently a member of the House of Representatives representing Kusada/Ingawa/Kankia Federal Constituency, battled the APC primary with another Rep member and nine others.

He emerged after polling 1,723 votes to beat his closest rival, another Rep member, Nasiru Zangon Daura, who polled 1, 474 votes.

The election will be conducted in 12 local government areas which make the senatorial district. The local governments are; Daura, Zango, Baure, Sandamu, Mai’adua, Mashi, Ingawa, Mani, Dutsi, Kusada, Bindawa and Kankia.

According to INEC, the district has a registered population of 855,092 voters, 1825 voting points, 1577 polling units’ and 128 wards.

Follow the live updates on PREMIUM TIMES here.

Corps members setting up at Sarkin Tarah, polling unit 003.

This is President Muhammadu Buhari’s polling unit. But Mr Buhari will not participate in today’s election as he is out of the country on vacation.

Corps members setting up at Sarkin Tarah, polling unit 003. This is President Muhammadu Buhari’s polling unit. But Mr Buhari will not participate in today’s election as he is out of the country on vacation.

8.10 a.m., Election commences at Bakin Kasuwa 1, Gidan chairman, polling unit 006.

An INEC ad-hoc staff attending to a voter during elections

Accreditation and voting have commenced simultaneously at Kofar Baru, PU 004.

So far, the voter turnout has been very low in few polling units where the process has commenced.

Meanwhile, residents of Daura are going about their daily businesses as usual. Except for big shops which are locked, owners of smaller stalls are going about their businesses as usual.

Contrary to what usually obtains in Nigerian elections, there is no restriction of vehicular movement in Daura.

Voters at Kofar Baru, PU 004

In Kankia, the hometown of the two major candidates, it’s business as usual for motorists and traders.

Voter accreditation and election are ongoing in most of the polling units visited.

Accreditation and voting ongoing in Kanti (B) Works Department Polling Unit 004.

Voters on queue in Kanti B polling unit 4

Voters queue up

Voters on queue in Kanti B polling unit 4

11.15a.m. Massive voter turn out at Galadima A, polling unit 10. This is the polling unit of the two major candidates, Kabir Babba-Kaita of PDP and Ahmad Babba-Kaita, of APC.

While Kabir has voted, Ahmad is still being awaited

Massive turn out in Galadima A, PU 10

Massive turn out in Galadima A, PU 10

Massive turn out in Galadima A, PU 10

12.15 pm: The APC candidate, Ahmad Babba-Kaita, arrived the polling unit to cast his vote. He opted to join the already long queue and wait for his turn.

APC candidate, Ahmad Babba-Kaita on queue

APC candidate, Ahmad Babba-Kaita on queue

Tired of standing, Mr Ahmadu takes shield under a tree

Tired of standing, Mr Ahmad takes shield under a tree

3.50p.m. Sorting has started at polling units across the constituency.

At Bakin Kasua Primary School, the presiding officer is currently sorting the votes of the six contesting political parties.

APC supporters in early celebration as counting begins.

1:45AM: The All Progressives Congress has latched on a comfortable early lead in the Katsina North by-election.

After collation of results from three local governments, the party already polled 55, 974 votes more than three quarter 11, 768 of the PDP.

The three local governments whose results have been read are; Daura, Dutsi and Sandamu.

Collation of results has started at the headquarters of INEC in Katsina North senatorial district.

The collation started around 12.35 a.m. at the office located in Daura.

The senatorial district has 12 local government areas where election was held on Saturday, August 11.

Below are the results:

Daura local government

No of registered voters – 76559
No of accredited voters – 23272

APC – 18436
DA – 45
GPN – 566
MMN – 18
MPN – 26
PDP – 3228

Total valid votes – 22309
Rejected – 501
Total votes cast – 22810

After receiving results from three local governments, the collation has been suspended for an hour.

Collation commences at INEC headquarters Daura

Collation commences at INEC headquarters Daura

Ingawa local government
No of registered voters – 76020
No of accredited voters – 23146

APC – 17036
DA – 111
GPN – 63
MMN – 44
MPN – 80
PDP – 4005

Total valid votes – 21339
Rejected – 902
Total votes cast – 22241

Dutsi local government

No of registered voters – 56912
No of accredited voters – 19007

APC – 13868
DA – 31
GPN – 25
MMN – 9
MPN – 31
PDP – 3930

Total valid votes – 17894
Rejected – 465
Total votes cast – 18359

Sandamu local government

No of registered voters – 65445
No of accredited voters – 25421

APC – 18834
DA – 20
GPN – 11
MMN – 6
MPN – 7
PDP – 4610

Total valid votes – 23488
Rejected – 553
Total votes cast – 24041

Mani local government

No of registered voters – 92544
No of accredited voters – 31048

APC – 20479
DA – 127
GPN – 98
MMN – 55
MPN – 113
PDP – 7017

Total valid votes – 27889
Rejected – 1295
Total votes cast – 29184

Mashi local government

No of registered voters – 83663
No of accredited voters – 32987

APC – 20927
DA – 168
GPN – 82
MMN – 84
MPN – 133
PDP – 8653

Total valid votes – 300042
Rejected – 1698
Total votes cast – 31745

Zango local government

No of registered voters – 62378
No of accredited voters – 18528

APC – 14175
DA – 23
GPN – 34
MMN – 8
MPN – 19
PDP – 3057

Total valid votes – 17316
Rejected – 655
Total votes cast – 17971

Kankia local government

No of registered voters – 62196
No of accredited voters – 23509

APC – 16653
DA – 42
GPN – 27
MMN – 6
MPN – 23
PDP – 5366

Total valid votes – 22117
Rejected – 1055
Total votes cast – 23172

Baure local government

No of registered voters – 92346
No of accredited voters – 36770

APC – 28271
DA – 105
GPN – 46
MMN – 19
MPN – 44
PDP – 5674

Total valid votes – 34159
Rejected – 1432
Total votes cast – 34159

Kusada local government
No of registered voters – 51019
No of accredited voters – 18349

APC – 12331
DA – 32
GPN – 18
MMN – 20
MPN – 42
PDP – 4783

Total valid votes – 17226
Rejected – 658
Total votes cast – 17884

Bindawa local government

No of registered voters – 76924
No of accredited voters – 29584

APC – 22234
DA – 43
GPN – 40
MMN – 16
MPN – 63
PDP – 5549

Total valid votes – 27945
Rejected – 1023
Total votes cast – 28968

Mai’ adua local government

No of registered voters – 68049
No of accredited voters – 26869

APC – 21363
DA – 49
GPN – 56
MMN – 58
MPN – 52
PDP – 3852

Total valid votes – 25430
Rejected – 654
Total votes cast – 2608