By Juliana Katung
Kaduna(Nigeria)- A bill for a law to substitute the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission enacted in 2012 was on Tuesday passed by the state House of Assembly.
The bill which was among the eight other bills passed by the lawmakers, had been an obstacle to the conduct of the long over due local government election that was first scheduled to hold in December 2017.
The purpose of the bill when signed into law by the Executive , is to provide the necessary frame work for an efficient and effective system to conduct credible and hitch free election into the local Government councils in the state.
The bill also seeks to strengthen the Electoral system by introducing the use of electronic voting machine to forestall Electoral malpractice and ensure that elections are transparent, free, and fair
According to the bill, verification and voting will be done through the use of approved electronic devices, smart card Reader and the electronic voting Machine.
It’s noted that where it becomes impracticable to verify a voter through the use of any of the electronic device and the name appeared on the voters register, he or she will be allowed to vote as envisaged in section 41 of the bill.
Speaking shortly after of the passage, Chairman House Committee on Judiciary Barrister Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku said with the Passage of the Independent Electoral bill , People should in the State should expect a free and fair election.
According to him, before the House arrived at the passage, a public Hearing was conducted, stressing that the views of the people is embedded in the bill, making it the masses oriented.
Also speaking the chairman House Committee on information, Deacon Nuhu Goro Shadalafiya said that One aspect in the bill that needed to pass through the legislative process was the use of the electronic machine which was inserted in the bill for the first time, that the bill now has stated that even if the machine do not recognize you but your name appear in the machine you will be allowed to vote.
He however encouraged the people to take the advantage of all the bills that were passed and urged them, especially those that are yet to get their voter cards to go and register to enable them exercise their right.
Also, passed were the bills for a law to provide for the local Government (administration) law of 2012 as amended, kaduna state Local Government Service Commission Law 2012, Kaduna state Mass Literacy edict of 1989, and other matters connected thereto.
The bills seek to provide for local Government reform in Kaduna state as well as repeal the Kaduna state Local Government Service Commission Law, 2012.
The law which introduced the presidential system of Government at the local Government level, will facilitate efficient and effective checks and balances.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/02/06/politics/nigerian-elections-should-be-based-on-individuals-performances-not-party-affiliation-can/
