Residents in Gombe metropolis have commended the peaceful conduct of the ongoing Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over low voter turnout.

Some voters, who spoke in separate interviews, praised INEC and security personnel for maintaining an orderly environment and ensuring that the voting process proceeded without major disruptions.

Buhari Ibrahim, a voter living with disability, described the process as seamless and peaceful, saying he did not experience discrimination while casting his vote.

Another voter, Dalhatu Boderi, also described the exercise as hitch-free, commending youths for conducting themselves peacefully.

Maryam Salisu, who voted at the Yakub Hassan Polling Unit, said the peaceful atmosphere encouraged her to participate in the election.

She commended INEC and security agencies and urged them to sustain the approach during the 2027 general elections to encourage greater participation, particularly among women.

Zaliha Garba, another voter, said women were increasingly recognising their role in the electoral process and participating more actively.

Despite the peaceful atmosphere, however, Rear Admiral Jamila Mailafa (retd.), INEC National Commissioner in charge of the North-East, expressed concern over the low turnout observed at several polling units.

Mailafa, who monitored the election in Gombe and Bauchi states, said voting commenced at 8:30 a.m., but only a small number of voters had arrived at many of the polling units she visited.

She, however, noted that the electoral process was proceeding smoothly and that both electoral officials and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines were functioning as expected.

The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency comprises Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas, with 495,851 registered voters expected to participate in the by-election.

The election follows the vacancy in the constituency's seat in the House of Representatives and is being conducted across 903 polling units in the three local government areas.