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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged security agencies to step up planning, deployment, and intelligence ahead of elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and by-elections in Rivers and Kano States on February 21.
Focus on Safety and Coordination
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan made the call at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Abuja. He stressed that early planning and intelligence are crucial to ensure elections are safe, peaceful, and credible.
“As campaigns close on February 19, we expect security agencies to enforce the law, prevent thuggery, stop vote buying, and protect voters and election staff,” Amupitan said.
Lessons from Past Elections
He noted that security professionalism ensured a smooth Anambra off-cycle governorship election, where a winner was declared on the first ballot. He urged agencies to maintain this standard for upcoming elections.
Preparing for Future Elections
Amupitan also called for early engagement for the 2026 Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and the 2027 general elections.
Furthermore, INEC plans a nationwide voter revalidation exercise to update the register ahead of 2027. This exercise, along with ongoing voter registration, will require security support to protect personnel, facilities, and citizens in high-risk areas.
“Elections succeed when institutions work together. The credibility of our democracy depends on your ability to secure the process from start to finish. Therefore, we must remain vigilant, proactive, and united,” Amupitan said.
