‘ Kaduna Will Hold Council Election When…’

From Julius B. Kezi, Kaduna
Chairman, Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, (SECOM), Dr. Saratu Binta Audu- Dikko, has said the commission will fix date for the conduct of the forth coming election as soon as arrangements are completed.
Reacting to questions during interactive session at a town-hall sensitization drive organized for stake holders at the secretariat Jaba Local on Tuesday, by zone three B of the commission, Dr. Saratu Audu-Dikko said it would not be to the best interest of the public to hurriedly fix a date and only to postpone the election because preparations were yet to be completed.
Stakeholders had asked the commission if it had a frame work of its programmes, including the conduct of local government elections in the state.
Dr. Audu-Dikko said the commission was in the process of purchasing electronic voting machines (EVM) and other equipment/materials needed to guarantee credible election, stressing that “SIECOM would not want a situation that a date for local government is fixed only to be changed for lack of adequate electoral materials”.
The SIECOM chairman however expressed satisfaction with the passion shown by stake holders, concerning the election, describing it as heart-warming.
Stakeholders had also urged the commission to come up with the timing for the election to enable politicians wishing to contest make adequate preparation.
Earlier, SIECOM commissioner zone three B, Professor Andrew A. Nkom, had told the people that democracy was people oriented and urged political parties to produce acceptable contestants to enhance their victory.
The chairman interim management council Jaba Local Government Mr Ben Kure appreciated the commission for the sensitization programme and advised people to take advantage of the lessons learned to improve the electoral process.
The sensitization programme also received the blessings of His Highness the Kpop Ham, Dr. Danladi Gyet Maude, District Heads, community leaders, prominent politicians, sons and daughters of Ham Kingdom amongst them Mr. Godfrey Ali Gaiya, former member house of representative Zangon Kataf/ Jaba Federal Constituency and Mr. Yohanna Jatau, former deputy speaker, Kaduna State House Of Assembly.