'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — As part of preparations for the upcoming Edo State governorship elections slated for September 21, 2024, a comprehensive training program for Election Security Personnel (ESP) commenced yesterday, August 19, 2024. This initiative aims to fortify the security framework essential for conducting a credible and peaceful electoral process.
The training, held in Benin City according to a statement available to Daily Courier by the Commission brings together officers from a diverse array of Nigerian security agencies. Participants include personnel from the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Directorate of State Security, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Fire Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The primary goal of the training is to familiarize participants with the latest initiatives and innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This includes ensuring that security personnel fully understand their roles and responsibilities within the electoral process. Additionally, the training emphasizes adherence to ethical and legal standards, enhancing professionalism among security personnel before, during, and after the elections.
In his welcome address, delivered by the Director of Training, Dr. Sa'ad Umar Idris, Director General of the Electoral Institute, underscored the critical importance of security in elections. He highlighted that maintaining electoral integrity is not solely the responsibility of the Commission but requires active commitment from all Nigerian security agencies. Dr. Idris called for unwavering dedication to ensuring that the Edo governorship elections are free, fair, credible, inclusive, and peaceful.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC in Edo State expressed confidence in the security agencies’ ability to provide a safe environment for political campaigns, voting, and election-related activities. He emphasized the need for a secure setting that would allow voters to exercise their franchise freely and Commission staff to conduct their duties without intimidation.
Professor Abdullahi Zuru, Chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute, also addressed the gathering, thanking participants for their cooperation with INEC. He recognized their pivotal role in ensuring peaceful elections and urged them to apply the same level of professionalism throughout the electoral process.
Following the initial three-day training session, a second-level training will be conducted from August 23-25, 2024, across all three senatorial districts of Edo State. This subsequent phase will involve officers from various security divisions across the eighteen local governments of the state.
The highlights of today’s training include sessions on the latest electoral security innovations, legal and ethical guidelines, and strategies for effective and impartial conduct during the elections.
