Ahead of the forth coming off cycle elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has called on security agencies to ensure a conducive environment for the smooth conduct of the polls.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu gave the charge at a meeting of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Prof Yakubu who said the conduct of isolated elections such as bye-elections and re-run elections can be very challenging, admonished the security agencies to ensure a hitch free contest and also pay attention to the potentials for disruptive behaviour by some candidates and their supporters.
Co chairman of ICCES and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Hassan Abdullahi assured Nigerians of massive deployment of personnel to check security bridges and all forms of electoral malpractices.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun on his part said the police as the lead agency in election coverage is determined to manage any security challenge that may come up during and after the election.
A breakdown of the Saturday February 3rd polls indicates that the bye election will be conducted in 2 Senatorial Districts, 4 Federal and 3 State Assembly Constituencies, while the court ordered re run elections will cover 35 National and State Constituencies across the country.
