By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
While congratulating winners of last Saturday’s local government election, the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) has reminded that the council polls in the state are not yet over, whole frowning at “abduction” of some Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Chairman of KADSIECOM, Dr. Saratu Binta Dikko-Audu dropped the reminder during the presentation of certificates of return to winners of council election in Chikun and Kajuru, as well as rerun in three other local government areas at the commission’s head office in Kaduna on Thursday September 30, 2021.
“However, the election is not yet over, since we still have two Local Governments to conduct elections in these are: Birnin Gwari and Zangon Kataf.
“We would like to plead with all political parties and their members to give democracy a chance and let the citizens of these Local Governments make their choice and allow peace to reign,” she said.
In the text of the speech, titled, “Politicians: Give Democracy a Chance” she congratulated all stakeholders for being part of the historic process.
“Let me once again congratulate you all for being part of making history.
“You are part of history making by taking part in an election that was conducted via electronic voting, that is actual voting on an electronic voting machine,” she said
She also praised the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai for bracing up to set standards for others to emulate.
“We acknowledged the courage of Kaduna State Governor:, Mal. Nasir Ahmad el-Rufa’i OFR, who in spite of all opposition was determined to give the citizens of Kaduna State the right to choose their leaders in a democratic process, and insisting on the use of the Electronic VotingMachine in Local Government Councils Election the second time in a row.
“This singular act has placed Nigeria as the first country in West Africa and the second country in Africa to deploy electronic voting in its election.
“We salute our Governor for his courage, boldness and determination to deepen the democratic experience forKaduna State citizens, and for placing Nigeria among the nations of the world to deploy e-voting in its elections.
“Some of you might say: “but you had challenges with the system, especially with the machines” Yes we did!” She said.
She frowned at undemocratic tendencies of some political class, whom she said, “abducted” some of the EVMs
“Thanks to interference from the political class, even as of now anumber of our machines are still in the hands of those who abducted them on election day.
“Having said that, any new innovation usually comes with its own challenges. But these challenges give us an opportunity to review the system and make corrections to improve it.
“This we did after the 2018 election and will do the same after the conclusion of the 2021 election,” she said.
She used the opportunity to congratulate all those won various positions and encouraged them to be magnanimous in victory and ensure that their people enjoy the dividends of democracy by working hard to improve the quality of life in your various Local Governments.
“Let me once more congratulate you and wish you a very successful tenure.
“Thank you and I wish you all well. May God bless Kaduna State and its citizens,” she added.
