Election Opinion - Of INEC, lax security and poor logistics

The postponement of the 2015 elections last month generated understandable angst among Nigerians and expressions of disappointment from the international community.

Everyone agreed that security was very important to the polls, but the “clever” way the postponement was attributed to the insurgency in the North-East and the manner it was sprung on the nation informed the groundswell of opposition to the shift.

But now that the security forces are on top of the situation in the North-East, we can safely focus our attention on the task ahead by ensuring that the elections hold as scheduled and without hiccups. The six-week shift, as predicted, has provided ample opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and political parties to review and fine-tune their strategies for credible and hitch-free elections.

With hindsight, one could say that the shift was a blessing in disguise as INEC was able to test-run its card readers in 12 states and from the exercise, identified various lapses and issues that could mar the polls. Thousands of citizens, who might have been otherwise disenfranchised, got their Permanent Voter Cards, thus empowering them to exercise their right to vote. The advantage of this is that we now have the opportunity to conduct transparent and credible elections that would be acceptable to all. To achieve this, however, the right things must be done and done right.

For starters, everyone expects the electoral commission to have refined the way and manner it handles and distributes electoral materials. In previous elections, poor distribution and late arrival of electoral materials were the flies in the ointment. In the coming elections, INEC would be expected to demonstrate efficiency and good time management by ensuring early and proper distribution of materials to polling centres while making sure that the necessary back-ups are in place to smoothen any observed lapses. Effective communication among the electoral officers, their superiors and security personnel, would no doubt make a great difference in the outcome of the polls.

The Nigeria Police, which will lead other security agencies in providing security, has assured Nigerians of its preparedness for the exercise. The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, had at different fora, warned trouble-makers to steer clear of polling units on Election Day. While pledging that the police would ensure the safety of election materials, electoral officials and voters, Abba said, “we will prevent the snatching of card readers…We would make sure nobody disturbed the peace there, and we’ll make the place (polling centres) well secured for the electorates, to prevent the commission of crimes as spelt out in Section 129 of the electoral law.” Tough words, one may say, but the IG and his personnel would need to go beyond mere warnings to secure the elections. To thugs and others with criminal intents, verbal warnings are like water to the back of a duck.

Therefore, the security agencies would need to deploy strong deterrents against hoodlums on Election Day. This is not to say security personnel should use maximum force against suspected hoodlums as this may scare away voters. Rather, operatives would be well advised to use force gently, in a restrained manner to avoid collateral damage or unintended casualties. Indiscriminate use of firearms should be discouraged. Security operatives do not need to kill every suspected thug, the polling unit is not a firing range or Sambisa Forest. Conversely, politicians should not hire hoodlums to disrupt the polls or incite their supporters to violence. Election is a game of numbers and the participants should see it as such and be ready to accept the outcome or contest it in a court of law.

Apart from maintaining security during the elections, security personnel would be expected to demonstrate unimpeachable impartiality while carrying out their duties. Their commitment should thus be to the process and not to any political party or candidate. This would earn them respect and add a whole lot of credibility to the polls. Besides, this is a good way to show maturity, professionalism and patriotism through exemplary conduct in the course of duty.

To deliver on their mandate, the necessary logistics must be provided for everyone that would be involved in the election, from the electoral officials to the security agents. Over 2000 vehicles were approved for the police, but these have not been delivered less than two weeks to the D-Day. This is not good enough and we demand that those in charge of logistics and funding for the election release everything that has been approved for the conduct of the polls.