Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has said the deployment of the Armed Forces during elections should remain an exceptional measure, stressing that election security should primarily be the responsibility of conventional law enforcement agencies.
Prof. Amupitan made the remarks while addressing stakeholders on election security, where he reiterated the commission’s commitment to conducting peaceful, credible and transparent elections ahead of upcoming off-cycle polls and the 2027 general election.
Military Should Only Be Used in Exceptional Circumstances
The INEC chairman explained that while security remains critical to the success of elections, the routine deployment of military personnel at polling units is undesirable.
According to him, the Armed Forces should only be called upon where there are exceptional security threats that exceed the capacity of conventional security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement bodies.
Police Remain Lead Agency for Election Security
Amupitan noted that election security is coordinated through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), which brings together INEC and various security agencies to ensure adequate planning before, during and after elections.
He emphasized the need for intelligence-driven operations, professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law by all security personnel deployed for elections.
INEC Seeks Peaceful 2027 Elections
The electoral commission also called on political parties, candidates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
Amupitan reiterated that INEC remains committed to delivering free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections that reflect the will of Nigerians.
Category: Politics