The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on security agencies to strengthen planning, deployment, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency coordination ahead of the FCT area council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano States scheduled for February 21.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the appeal during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting at the commission’s Abuja headquarters on Friday.
Amupitan emphasized that early planning and intelligence were crucial to ensuring all electoral activities are conducted in a safe, peaceful, and credible environment. “As campaigns draw to a close on February 19, we look to security agencies to enforce the law, prevent the use of thugs, curb vote buying, and guarantee the safety of voters and election personnel on election day,” he said.
He stressed the need for constant communication, rapid response mechanisms, and professionalism, noting that the successful conduct of the recent Anambra off-cycle governorship election demonstrated how effective security coordination ensures peaceful elections and timely results.
Prof. Amupitan also urged sustained engagement for the upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and the 2027 general elections, stressing that credible elections require voters to feel safe. He highlighted INEC’s planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise alongside ongoing continuous voter registration, which will also require security support to protect facilities, personnel, and citizens.
“Elections succeed when institutions work in harmony. The credibility of our democracy depends on your ability to secure the electoral process from start to finish. Let us remain vigilant, proactive, and united in purpose as we navigate this demanding electoral year,” Amupitan concluded.
Elijah Adeyemi
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