WSRN OBSERVE THE BY-ELECTION CONDUCTED IN MASHI/DUTSI CONSTITUENCY IN KATSINA STATE

On 20 May, 2017, the Women Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN) North West Zone mobilized 10 staff from Katsina State to represent the organization as observers for the elections of House of Representative members of Mashi/Dutsi Local Government. It was an opportunity for WSRN to monitor the by-elections process for the state. Some of the challenges/observations were:

• Some voters, mostly women could not find their names on the voter register and lead to frustration.
• Lack of mobilization and sensitization of women on the electoral process prior to the elections.
• Men dominance hindered the process in some areas as women were not given the chance to recheck their names in some polling unit, and Lack of adequate security
• Late arrival of election materials and ease of access in some polling centers.

The Women Situation Room Nigeria was recorded to having the highest number of female observers in Mashi/Dutsi Local Government. This helped in providing adequate assistance to the voters especially the women.