A civil society organization named “Citizens Center for Democratic Governance” has disagreed with the Governor of Kaduna state over the advice that Nigeria can adopt electronic voting for the 2019 elections. In a statement released on behalf of the group, the National Coordinator, Comrade Anthony Osagbemi said that, “El-Rufia and his cohorts have started to give credence to their actions via sponsored media outings to advice that “Nigeria can adopt electronic voting for 2019 general elections” but we disagree. Even if it ever happens, it cannot be for 2019”
The group confirms that electronic voting took place in Kaduna state but collation was manually done, so they do not understand why an event that was trailed by irregularities should be described by anyone as historic. The coordinator had also noted that certain questions require answers in the light of that election. According to Osagbemi, “There are several questions to ask, before agitating for a national replication of this seeming unsuccessful venture. These questions are: Has the e-voting machine address allegations that surrounds issues related to falsification of election results? Secondly, does the e-voting machine aid faster collation and declaration of results? And lastly, does it deal with the integrity question associated with elections in Nigeria? Without accurate answers, we might be heading for rocky waters if we adopt the machines for the 2019 general elections”.
Further in the statement, the group lambasted Gov. El-Rufia for taking over the role of KASIEC and undermining its independence. as they put it, “We appreciate the attempt by Dr. Saratu Dikko-Audu led Kaduna state independent electoral commission (KADSIEC) to set a record, because we believe that technology can be used to curb electoral malpractices and ensure a more speedy collation and result declaration process. However, we did not appreciate the part where most of the public statement as regards the election came from the Governor of the state which shouldn’t be so. Is KADSIEC no longer independent?”
The group, in an appraisal of the election, concluded that Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission has performed below standard. They stated, that “KASIEC performed woefully in an election perverted by several forms of irregularities ranging from: the delay in collating and releasing election results which lasted about four days in the case of Sanga LGA, suspension of elections in some areas were opposition were alleged to be leading, notably Kajuri and Kaduna south were results came inconclusive; disappearances of returning officers; change of figures, leading to imposition of results, and the general question of integrity that followed the election”.
As the case of Kenya and the United States of America comes handy as countries that have had it rough with e-election, we will appreciate that INEC be very careful in its introduction of technology towards future elections in Nigeria.
The group therefore, accepts the submission of the INEC chairman when Osagbemi declared that “We go with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has assured Nigerians that though technology has come to stay, INEC will only adopt it incrementally and gradually as efficiency permits”.
He pleads with Nigerians to be conscious of wasteful process that will not work. In his words, “We call on Nigerians from all works of life to understand that conducting e-voting without e-collation to fast track and lay to rest the issue of delay and manipulation in election results, is a like a travel on a spot. We cannot risk the consequences of a hurriedly planned unknown venture”.
Calling on civil society organizations, faith base associations, and tribal groups to kick against any of such rise or agitation and unproductive venture that will lead to a waste of our collective resource and produce no result, He concludes on the ground that Nigerians might want to start considering something better for 2023 general elections.

We will consider something better later but for now let's continue with the norm cos we don't trust this present government enough to help us with something better related to the op.