Insecurity might force cancellation, postponement of polls, INEC raises alarm
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed regret over the rising tide of election-related insecurity in the nation and expressed concern that, if it were to continue, it might result in the cancellation or postponement of the upcoming elections.
The electoral umpire called for coordinated efforts to stop the violence, noting that the development could impede the declaration of election results and spark a constitutional crisis.
Read Also: “Umbrella don leak, Broom de carry Dirty…, Vote me, Peter Obi Says as his Campaign Train Lands Warri
Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, chairman of the board of The Electoral Institute TEI, the training arm of INEC, made the comment on Monday in Abuja at the validation of election security training materials.
We all recognise that Election Security is important for the consolidation of democracy because it creates an environment that allows for the holding of free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections, strengthening the electoral process.
“As a result, the Commission is taking no chances when making preparations for the 2023 General Elections by ensuring that intense and thorough security are provided for election personnel, materials, and processes.
“Given the current security issues in various regions of the nation and the fact that the National Youth Service Corps NYSC members make up the majority of the Polling Unit Election officials, this is particularly significant to the Commission.
Additionally, if the insecurity is not closely watched and dealt with, it may eventually result in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in enough constituencies to obstruct the announcement of election results and trigger a constitutional crisis.
“This must not and will not be permitted to happen. Because of this, security personnel in particular and all election officials generally must always be alert to unusual activity around them, security conscious, and fully prepared to handle any challenge.
Also Read: Atiku Presidential Campaign Finally Breaks Silence on Atiku’s Health, Reveals Truth
“With this in mind, Gen. Mohammed Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairman of INEC have jointly assured the nation that favourable conditions will be created for the successful conduct of the general Election in 2023.
In a similar vein, workshops on election security management have been held throughout the six geopolitical zones by IGP Usman Alkali Baba.
As a crucial part of its training strategy, “the Commission, through The Electoral Institute, has institutionalised the development and implementation of a cascaded training mechanism for security personnel.”
The Bimodal Verification and Accreditation System (BVAS), he said, will be used at polling units to conduct continuous verification, accreditation, and voting. Real-time polling unit-level results will also be uploaded on to the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) Portal using the same BVAS, he said, adding that the Commission was encouraged by the protection provided by the amended Electoral Act.
To protect voters, election workers, materials, equipment, the electoral processes, the general public, and infrastructure, these commitments necessitate the use of novel security deployments and strategies.
Thanks for using our platform to learn about the latest Naija News on Insecurity might force cancellation, postponement of polls, INEC raises alarm
