ahmed kaigama

Speaking through their team leader, Mr Friday Maduka, during a press conference in Bauchi on Thursday, the observers said there was need for proper control of voters in queues for voting to be smooth and hitch-free.

They also called on INEC to ensure that personnel handling Smart Card Readers were adequately trained on how to operate the device.

The observers urged security agents to check the activities of political thugs in the state to avert their being used as tool to disrupt the election process.

On the role expected of media organizations, they reminded journalists of the ethics of their progression, saying that nothing short of highest display of patriotism was expected.

They also pledged to perform their duties diligently and without fear or favour as Bauchi was, in their words ”safe and peaceful.”

Nigerian electorates casting their votes/thenationonlineng

Domestic Election Observers in Bauchi state have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to provide crowd control officers at voting centres during the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

Elections: Observers want improvement in crowd control at voting units

<h1>Scores of local Hausa singers in Bauchi State from various political parties defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC), to canvass for support for Gov. Mohammed Abubakar’s re-election in the state.</h1>

Alhaji Suleiman Majidadi, the leader Bauchi State Musical Studios presented the defectors to the state Chairman of APC, Alhaji Uba Nana, during a ceremony in Bauchi on Monday.

He said the singers who are of like minds, after due consultations, resolved to join the APC for continuity and progressive development of the state.

“We are here to declare our support for the second term re-election of Gov. Muhammad Abubakar.

“The singers are from the 20 local governments areas of the state, We are here to support the continuity of the APC led administration in the state,” he said.

Receiving them, Nana reassured the readiness of the ruling party to accord equal opportunity to members that join newly.

Nana called on them to work hard and contribute positively to the success of the party at the forthcoming gubernatorial and state Assembly elections in the state.

On his part, the governor urged the entire entertainment industry to use their talent and contribute towards the advancement of the democratic system in the country.

Abubakar, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Nadada Umar, also implored the singers to assist the administration in enlightening the public on the achievements recorded so far.

“I urge you people in the entertainment industry to create awareness and sensitise voters on the achievements recorded and project the administration to ensure mutual understanding between the government and its people,” he said.

He pledged to support the singers with equipment and other needed instruments for the improvement of their services.

Alhaji Suleiman Majidadi, the leader Bauchi State Musical Studios presented the defectors to the state Chairman of APC,Alhaji Uba Nana, during a ceremony in Bauchi on Monday.

Governorship Election: Scores of local singers defect to APC in Bauchi

They made the call in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday against the backdrop of several incidents when the card readers malfunctioned in polling stations across the country.

A voter, Malam Aliyu Manga, decried the failure of the gadget in the just concluded presidential and national assembly polls when it was his turn to get accredited at a polling unit.

He also witnessed similar situations in Misau at a polling station.

“I witnessed many cases that posed set back during the election where the card reader had rejected fingerprints, and consequently delayed the entire process ,” he said.

He urged INEC to tackle the challenges of card readers before the next elections to ensure a free and fair election.

A politician, Alhaji Yusuf Garba, said cases of malfunctioning of card readers were worrisome during the last elections, stressing that such a device needed to guarantee the credibility of the exercise.

He said that manual verification of voters could pave the way for electoral fraud, leading to compromise of results.

“Nigeria should have gone beyond cases of failed card readers to achieve credible elections process.

“Voters are concerned that the card readers are not working; that might cause delay and unpalatable voting process in the country,” he said.

Malam Hashimu Mohammed, a public commentator, said the card readers were meant to be configured for specific polling units.

He said that no two polling units would have the same card reader during an election for the purpose of credibility.

“That means PVCs could not be used in multiple polling units.

“Beside that, INEC officials and ad-hoc staff had issues in some of the poling Units, which is too bad for the system.

“In Polling Unit I visited as an observer at the last elections, voting did not begin until 11:10 a.m as a result of smart card readers’ failure,” Mohammed said.

Another voter, Hajiya Lami Gambo, recalled her experience in the just concluded presidential and national assembly elections.

“We started voting at our poling unit by 11.55 a.m. due to a faulty card reader which delayed voting in the area.

“I came out by 7:30 a.m to vote but the card reader was not functioning; so, I went back to my house and came out by 11:00 a.m. to vote,” she said.

She, however, appealed to INEC to sort out the hitches before the next Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the card reader was initiated as an anti-electoral fraud device and was introduced to enhance the integrity of voting process and dissuade multiple voting.

Ahead of the March 9 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections, voters in Bauchi have urged INEC to ensure that its smart card readers function effectively.

Voters urge INEC to enhance smart card effectiveness

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ahmed kaigama

Articles written by the author

Elections: Observers want improvement in crowd control at voting units

Governorship Election: Scores of local singers defect to APC in Bauchi

Voters urge INEC to enhance smart card effectiveness