Again, KADSIECOM postpones LG election in Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, (KADSIECOM) has postponed the scheduled Local Government election from August 14, 2021 to September 4, 2021.
The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Saratu Binta Dikko-Audu, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting held in Kaduna yesterday.
According to her, the Commission postponed the first scheduled date of the election because batteries for the machines were still expected.
She however said the long awaited batteries arrived yesterday, but it is impossible to conduct the election within the left twelve days for the election.
Dr. Dikko-Audu said the commission have to install the batteries in 6000 units of EVMS, install software, upgrade the machines, test them, train staff and ad-hoc staff (about 16,500) on the operation of the new system.
“Consequently, as much as we wanted to maintain our earlier announced date of August 14, 2021 for the conduct of the Local Goverment Councils election in Kaduna State, that is now impossible.
“We are aware that political parties, their candidates and indeed the general public in Kaduna State are anxious to exercise their Civic duty in electing those they want to represent them in the LG Councils.
“May I announce that the election is now scheduled for September 4, 2021,” she said.
In a swift reaction, the State Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Hon. Ibrahim Aliyu Wusono, said his party will not trust the APC Government but if the demonstration shown yesterday will discouraged multiple voting, then they’re ready to wait for the new date.