From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
As part of preparations for the October 17th Local Government Elections in Kogi, the State Independent Electoral Commission(KOSIEC), on Wednesday, conveyed Inter-Agency Consultative Committee Meeting On Election Security to hold discussions on the way forward for hit free polls.
The meeting which was held at the Office of Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, had in attendance representatives from Customs, Immigration Service, Correctional Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as Federal Road Safety Corps
The collaborative meeting is aimed at mapping out best strategies that would guarantee the security of eligible voters and the entire citizens, before, during and after the election.
Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Mamman Nda Eri in his welcome address, described the gathering as both timely and strategic saying that the credibility and success of the local government elections largely dependent on the security framework that supports them because without adequate security, the integrity of the electoral process can be compromised, and public confidence eroded.
“The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission recognizes that election security is not the responsibility of any single agency. Rather, it requires a coordinated, intelligence-driven, and proactive approach involving all critical stakeholders. This is precisely why the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) remains an indispensable platform for collaboration, consultation, and joint planning.
“As we approach the 17th October elections, we must collectively focus on key priorities. These include Identifying potential security threats, Mapping out flashpoints across the state, Ensuring the safety of electoral personnel and materials, and Guaranteeing that voters can exercise their avic rights without fear or intimidation.
“I wish to particularly commend the commitment and professionalism of our security agencies. Your role in maintaining law and order before, during, and after the elections cannot be overemphasised.
“We rely heavily on your expertise, discipline, and neutrality to create a conducive environment for a credible electoral process.
“Let me also emphasize the need for strengthened synergy and real-time Communication among all agencies. Information sharing, Joint operations planning, and clear delineation of roles will be critical to avoiding overlaps and ensuring swift responses to any emerging challenges.
“Furthermore, I urge all stakeholders to remain guided by the principles of impartiality, rule of law, and respect for human rights. The confidence of the electorate depends not only on what we do, but also on how we do it.
“1 therefore call on all participants to engage actively, share insights, and contribute constructively to the deliberations.
“Let this meeting produce actionable outcomes that will strengthen our collective preparedness. ,
“On behalf of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, I assure you
of our full cooperation and readiness to work with all stakeholders to ensure the success of the forthcoming elections”.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi and other security chiefs while making their contributions during the meeting assured that they would live up to expectation in tackling the security of lives and property, before, during and after the polls.
