Monday, November 19, 2007

Voting Causes Chaos(BBC News)



Six people were killed in Nigeria during a local government election in the northern state of Kano. The commissioner Mohammed Aminu Yesafu and his officers arrested many people and found numerous weapons on them including machetes and guns. Voters started casting votes on November 17Th and this is also when the violence began due to results being reported.

A total of 254 people were arrested for committing crimes such as arson, assault, murder, and damage to government property. Although it is just a small local election many people were outraged since it still dealt with money and power over the people. Kano is governed by the opposition, and it was the supporters of this party that were causing the chaos and violence. The current president is hoping to change the electoral system before the April elections to lessen the outbreaks and violence.

It is hard to believe how many people got out of control and reacted in killing others and destroying buildings. I know that the change of a leader can cause a great deal of difference in a political system but I didn't know that it could anger people this much. This was a very interesting article to read how just a small local election can affect so many people. Its hard to believe so many chose anger and violence.

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