INEC Reaffirms Police as Lead Election Security Agency, Says Military Role Should Be Exceptional

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains the primary agency responsible for election security, stressing that the deployment of the Armed Forces during elections should be limited to exceptional circumstances.

The position was made known by the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a seminar organised by the Army War College Nigeria in Abuja. The event focused on election security, civil-military relations and the legal framework governing democratic elections in Nigeria.

Represented by the Commission's Director of Legal Services, Al-Hassan Umar, the INEC chairman commended the Armed Forces for their dedication to safeguarding Nigeria's territorial integrity but emphasised that their involvement in elections must remain supportive and strictly within constitutional limits.

Prof. Amupitan noted that the Constitution clearly defines the responsibilities of institutions involved in the electoral process, assigning INEC the mandate to conduct and supervise elections, while designating the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency for election security under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He explained that military deployment during elections is not intended to be routine but should only occur when prevailing security conditions require assistance to civil authorities and in accordance with the Constitution and other applicable laws.

According to him, the Armed Forces are expected to play a supportive rather than supervisory role, providing security assistance where necessary without becoming directly involved in the electoral process.

The INEC chairman also reaffirmed the commission's commitment to conducting elections that are credible, transparent, inclusive and professionally managed in compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

He added that the commission would continue to strengthen the use of technology in election management while ensuring that persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups are adequately accommodated during the voting process.

Prof. Amupitan called for the continued cooperation of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, urging them to discharge their election-day responsibilities with professionalism, restraint and respect for the fundamental rights and dignity of every Nigerian voter.