The Forum of States Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECOM) and a
coalition of local and national election observers have said Saturday’s
local council polls hel in Sokoto were free, credible and transparent due
to the use of card readers.
FOSIECOM National Chairman, Justice Afolabi Adeyinka, who is
also the Chairman of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission,
made the disclosure at a news briefing in Sokoto on Sunday.
Adeyinka who was also a former Chief Justice of Lagos State said, ”I
have to commend the courage of of the Sokoto State Independent
Electoral Commission in sticking with its plan to conduct the election
using card reader machine and the permanent voters card.
” We saw the preparations and the eventual conduct of the election
and we agreed to the fact that whoever wins, it is a reflection of the
general wish of the people of Sokoto.
” The decision to allow voters cast their votes immediately after
verification has also helped the process. It has reduced voting time
and ensure large number of votes at the final count.
” Many came out to vote in the morning and left the polling units
immediately after casting their votes without having to wait for some
hours as was the case during the national elections,” he added.
Adeyinka also commended the state government for the support it gave
the SIECOM which led to this outcome.
Meanwhile, a coalition of domestic election observers led by
constitutional lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Mr
Festus Okoye has commended the state government for providing the
enabling environment that led to the peaceful conduct of the elctions.
Okoye who is also Executive Director, Human Rights Monitor said at a
news briefing in Sokoto on Sunday also commended the state government
for shunning the caretaker committee syndrome.
It further commended the people of the state for their exemplary
conduct which enabled the elections to be conducted in a peaceful and
transparent manner.
” We are convinced that the conduct of the Sokoto State Local
Government Elections met national and regional standards in the
conduct of elections,” he averred.