Connect with us

Metro

KADUNA ELECTRONIC VOTING: Group urges caution against adopting it nationally

Published

on

KADUNA ELECTRONIC VOTING: Group urges caution against adopting it nationally

A Civil Society Organisation, Citizens Center for Democratic Governance (CCDG) has called for caution in using the recent electronic voting (e-voting) in Kaduna state, as a yardstick to determine if Nigeria is ready to adopt the system for future elections.

The group in a statement signed by it’s national coordinator, Anthony Osagbemi noted that while the e-voting used for the Kaduna local government elections was commendable, collation of results was however done manually.

It also lamented that results delays in some areas, could also give room for rigging of the results, and other irregularities.

The statement read in part, “The fact is that electronic voting happened, but the collation of votes was manual. There are several questions to ask, before agitating for a national replication of this seeming unsuccessful venture.

“These questions are: Has the e-voting machine addressed allegations that surrounds issues related to falsification of election results?

“Secondly, does the e-voting machine aid faster collation and declaration of results? And lastly, does it deal with the integrity question associated with elections in Nigeria? Without accurate answers, we might be heading for rocky waters if we adopt the machines for the 2019 general elections.

“We appreciate the attempt by Dr. Saratu Dikko-Audu led Kaduna state independent electoral commission (KADSIEC) to set a record, because we believe that technology can be used to curb electoral malpractices and ensure a more speedy collation and result declaration process.

“However, we did not appreciate the part where most of the public statement as regards the election came from the Governor of the state which shouldn’t be so. Is KADSIEC no longer independent?

Read Also: Katsina downpour claims 6 lives, injures 5

“An appraisal of the just concluded Local Government Elections in Kaduna state shows,that KASIEC performed woefully in an election perverted by several forms of irregularities ranging from: the delay in collating and releasing election results which lasted about four days in the case of Sanga LGA, suspension of elections in some areas where opposition were alleged to be leading, notably Kajuri and Kaduna south where results came inconclusive; disappearances of returning officers; change of figures, leading to imposition of results, and the general question of integrity that followed the election.

“Although, this is just to mention a few. As the case of Kenya and the United States of America comes handy as countries that have had it rough with e-election, we will appreciate that INEC be very careful in its introduction of technology towards future elections in Nigeria.

El-Rufia and his cohorts have started to give credence to their actions via sponsored media outings to advice that “Nigeria can adopt electronic voting for 2019 general elections” but we disagree. Even if it ever happens, it cannot be for 2019. We go with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has assured Nigerians that though technology has come to stay, INEC will only adopt it incrementally and gradually as efficiency permits.

“We call on Nigerians from all works of life to understand that conducting e-voting without e-collation to fast track and lay to rest the issue of delay and manipulation in election results, is like traveling on a spot. We cannot risk the consequences of a hurriedly planned unknown venture.

“Nigerians might want to start considering something better for 2023 general elections. We call on civil society organizations, faith base associations, and tribal groups to kick against any of such rise or agitation and unproductive venture that will lead to a waste of our collective resource and produce no result, while and endanger our democracy at last”.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now