By Amos Tauna
Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, SIECOM, said elections into the positions of Chairmanship and Councillors for the 23 local government areas of the state will hold on 30th December, 2017.
Chairman of SIECOM, Saratu Binta Dikko Audu, who disclosed this at an interactive session with stakeholders, at the commission’s headquarters Friday in Kaduna, also said Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) would be used in the conduct of the election.
According to her, “In compliance with the appropriate provisions of the law formally announce that the Commission has completed plans to hold elections to positions of Chairman, vice chairman and Councillors in all 23 local government areas of Kaduna State on Saturday, 30th December, 2017.
“We shall be using Electronic Voting machines and smart Card readers in the conduct of these elections. All citizens who have been issued with the INEC permanent voters cards shall be eligible to participate in the election.”
By the notice of the election date, she said electioneering campaign by political parties and candidates are authorised to begin.
“Party primaries may be organised as from 10th October until 14th November, 2017. Political parties are reminded that staff of the commission must be officially invited to witness the party primaries with electioneering campaign to end at midnight of 29th December, 2017.
“Stakeholders, especially political parties and candidates are strongly advised to ensure that they follow strictly the election timetable and guidelines being released today and also to ensure that they do not offend the state electoral law.
“We wish to appeal to all stakeholders to observe good conduct and avoid acts and pronouncements that can result in conflict situations.
“Candidates must respect our environment by ensuring that their campaign materials do not destroy our delicate and serene environment in Kaduna State.
“KADSIECOM wishes to appeal to all stakeholders especially the political parties, their candidates and all politicians to respect the rule of law, avoid hate speech and violence and ensure that these elections are peaceful.”
On the part of the commission, the Chairman assured conduct of a free, fair and credible polls.