By Yakubu Salisu, Kano
An interim Report over the Saturday 26th October’s LG Elections in Kano said the election was conducted in citizen’s interest.
It also added that surprisingly, despite confusion created by some court judgments and the absence of the police, it was held in a peaceful atmosphere with an impressive turnout of voters and the process was improved compared to previous ones.
The interim Report was compiled by 88 accredited CSO Group of Observers through the Kano Civil Society Election Election Observation Mission under the coordination of Citizen of Citizens for Development and Education (CDE) led by Amb. Ibrahim Waiya.
The Commission in it’s report applaud the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC for a job well done especially in the face of many challenges which ordinarily would have distracted it but remained resolute at delivering it’s mandate as entrusted by Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf and the people of Kano State.
However in it’s report submitted to the chairman, KANSIEC on Sunday evening the following hiccups were identified during the elections; Late arrival of election materials at some polling units, particularly in Ungogo LGA, poor voters turn out in some LGAs like Fagge and Ungogo as well as Inadequate training of election personnel on election management, data entry, result tabulation and records.
The CSO Observer Groups gave the following recommendations to include; KANSIEC should put in place measures to address non-supply or delay in supply of election material to poling units in subsequent elections, all Stakeholders especially KANSIEC and the political parties should give emphasis to voter education, awareness creation and mobilization.
This, they said should be done at list 3 months before elections as it will stimulate the electorate for better turnout on Election Day while there should be serious training for all Adhoc staff on effective ways to discharge their duties in subsequent elections.
Furthermore, they commend His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State for remaining resolute, focused and committed to ensuring that a local Government elections are been conducted in the state despite seeming distractions.
Adding that, it goes to prove his commitment in upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ensuring that good governance gets to the grassroots.
In the same vein, the people of the state were appreciated for their peaceful conducts and compliance with the movement restriction order during the election hours despite the absence of Police around election areas, the state.
Remarkably, the Mission recognized and commend immensely the presence of the variously state security outfits particularly the Hisbah, Vigilante Groups and Karota for bridging the gap in the absence of national security agents during the election.
Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), is a registered Nongovernmental Organization based in Kano State working on the promotion of Democracy, Good Governance, Campaign Against Corruption and facilitate a close engagement with State actors particularly the electoral umpire and security agencies, to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections and also promote policy reforms as it relates to elections and democracy in the State.