EVM: National Electoral System Should Learn From Our Experience – KAD-SIECOM
BY ISRAEL BULUS, KADUNA – The Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM), Dr. Saratu Binta Dikko-Audu, has said that the Nigerian’s Electoral System has a lot to learn from the Kaduna State experience.
Dikko-Audu, who stated this at a Workshop on Electoral Legal and Regulatory Framework for Local Government Councils in Kaduna State, which took place at the Unity Wonderland Hotel, Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of the state, said
The Commission is now geared towards acquainting stakeholders with rules that guide Electoral practices to enable the populace enjoy the dividends of democracy.
She said the workshop is aimed at seeking feedbacks from the Local Government Councils in the State on the introduction of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), during the local government elections held in May last year.
She also said that it was imperative to seek for feedback and reactions following the instruction of the EVM during the Local Government elections across the State to enable the Commission improve upon its usage in subsequent exercises.
According to her; “Being the first time of introduction of electronic voting in our Local Government Elections, we want to have your reaction to this innovation and also to get your views on how to improve election administration in Kaduna State.
“The report produced as a result of this workshop will greatly enhance the quality of KAD-SIECOM service delivery.”
The KAD-SIECOM Chairman congratulated the participants whom she said would surely acquire the requisite general knowledge of the elements of electoral framework at the end of the workshop to enable them deliver the dividends of democracy to their Constituencies better.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, who is also the Provost of Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, Prof. Alex Kure, commended SIECOM describing the workshop as “taking the bull by the horn” to have come down to the grassroot to discuss electoral matters.
Prof Kure said; “The event would provide participants the avenue to get expert responses to concerns that would be raised by the participants.” He expressed optimism that at the end of the programme, Kaduna State Electoral process would be better fortified ahead of subsequent elections.
Speaking in turn, the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Justice Muhammadu Bello, who was represented by Mr Murtala Mu’azu, commended the organisers saying, the event would avail participants opportunity to discuss and make recommendations on the use of the EVM.
He described the theme of the Workshop as apt, adding, “I hope that at the end of the Workshop, participants would have learnt a lot in their roles and duties as defined by the Kaduna State Electoral Commission Law, 2018 and the Kaduna State Local Government Law, 2018.”
Speaking onbehalf of traditional institutions, Mr Lucas Zamani, the Daniyan Kagoro, expressed concern over pockets of violence that trail elections with the hope that the Workshop would provide a brainstorming session between KAD-SIECOM and the relevant authorities to fashion the way forward.
Zamani assured KAD-SIECOM of the unwavering support of the local communities to the introduction of the EVM.
The Workshop attracted participants that include; representatives of the Nigeria Police, Civil Defense, Immigration, NOA, traditional and religious leaders amongst others.
