By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that the deployment of the Armed Forces during elections should remain an exceptional measure, insisting that the Nigeria Police Force is the constitutionally recognised lead agency for election security.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated this at a seminar organised by the Army War College Nigeria in Abuja on election security and civil-military relations.
Represented by the Commission’s Director of Legal Services, Al-Hassan Umar, Amupitan said the Constitution clearly assigns INEC responsibility for conducting elections, while the police lead election security under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He stressed that military involvement should only occur when security conditions require support for civil authorities, adding that the Armed Forces must remain supportive, non-partisan and act strictly within constitutional limits.
Amupitan also reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and technology-driven elections, urging security agencies to protect voters, election officials and the integrity of the electoral process.
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, charged military personnel to remain neutral, professional and uphold human rights during election-related operations.
He said the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would be judged not only by peaceful elections but also by strict adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law.
