INEC Urges Security Agencies to Ensure Safety Ahead of Upcoming Elections

INEC Urges Security Agencies to Ensure Safety Ahead of Upcoming Elections

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on security agencies to implement adequate and proactive measures to protect personnel and assets during the upcoming elections, including the bye-elections and the Anambra State Governorship election.

This appeal was made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the second regular meeting with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held on Friday in Abuja.

As the Commission prepares for a series of electoral activities over the next six months, Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of security in ensuring a smooth electoral process.

“As we plan for the bye-elections, the Anambra State Governorship election, and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), I call on the security agencies to make adequate and proactive arrangements for the protection of personnel and assets to be deployed by the Commission and all stakeholders for these activities,” he stated.

The INEC Chairman outlined the upcoming elections, which include bye-elections to fill vacancies in 16 constituencies across 12 states, scheduled for August 16, 2025.

“These bye-elections will involve 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards, and 6,987 Polling Units,” he noted, adding that two outstanding court-ordered re-run elections will also take place on the same day, contingent upon adequate security assurances.

Prof. Yakubu also highlighted the significance of the Anambra State Governorship election, set for November 8, 2025, and the resumption of the CVR in the state from July 8 to July 17, 2025. “Although the security situation in the State is calmer than it was before the last Governorship election four years ago, I urge you to use the CVR to fine-tune your preparations for securing the forthcoming elections,” he urged.

In his address, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Director of Internal Security, Office of the National Security Adviser, Hassan Abdullahi, commended INEC for its collaborative efforts with ICCES.

Ribadu emphasized the need to safeguard the integrity of the elections.

“We are on the verge of holding yet another round of important elections, including the FCT Area Council election and the governorship elections in Anambra State.

“Our primary objective remains to ensure that eligible voters exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation,” he said.

The NSA further outlined the security strategy, which includes intensifying intelligence efforts to monitor potential threats and maintaining dialogue with political party leaders to foster understanding and reduce tensions. “Political actors and their supporters in the affected States and the FCT are warned to conduct themselves with decorum and respect for the democratic process, as any form of electoral violence and malpractices has no place in our elections,” Ribadu cautioned.