By Amos Tauna
The Kaduna State says it is set to conduct its local government election, after more than two years of postponing the action.
The state had resorted to appointment of Caretaker committee to run the administration of the local council on 6 monthly basis.
Chairman, Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, Saratu Binta Audu while addressing newsmen in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, Tuesday on the level of preparedness, said, the Commission has concluded all plans to use Electronic Voting Machine, EVM, during the forthcoming local government election in the state, making it the first state in Nigeria to adopt e-voting system.
She said the E-Voting machine had been tested and ready for use, assuring that the electorate and citizens should not be apprehensive over the use of Electronic Voting Machines.
She added the citizens should accept it, particularly that the machines are user friendly, effective, fast and proven to be reliable for credible election outcomes.
Presenting and demonstrating how the EVM system works to journalists, Mrs. Audu explained that the machines were smart, assuring that people in the rural areas could understand them and use effectively.
”We are not unaware that many people will raise questions on the use of EVM system for the election, but we have concluded arrangements to embark on massive enlightenment campaigns across the state before the local government election.
“We believe that after this is done, all fears sorrouding the use of EVM for our local government election would be allayed,” She stated.
She said, ”We have put in place all security measures to ensure adequate security at all polling units to ensure smooth, hitch-free election, contain possible violence and other election related problems.”
Speaking on the integrity of the machine, Mrs. Audu said there was no cause for alarm for those who believe it could be manipulated to produce results in favour of a particular party.
The Electoral body had earlier made a presentation before the Executive Council on Electronic Voting for local government elections, stressing that during the presentation, the E-Voting proved its security and vote integrity.
While informing the Council that the machine uses processors, flash memories and other safe electronic components, she said Electronic Voting cuts out blank and void votes, and at the same time ensures faster counting of votes at the end of the voting process.
“The machine has a terminal weight of 5-10KG, hence very easy to transport and a 16 hours battery life. Venezuela, USA, Philippines, Namibia, Mexico, Haiti, Curaçao, Belgium, Bolivia, and Brazil presently use this system of voting.” She explained.