The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has held an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee Meeting On Election Security to hold discussions ahead of the October 17th local government elections in the state.
The meeting which centered on weighing the preparedness of security agencies to ensure a hitch-free election, held at the Police Headquarters in Lokoja and had in attendance representatives from Customs, Immigration Service, Correctional Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as Federal Road Safety Corps
Chairman of KOSIEC, MammanNda Eri in his welcome address, described the gathering as both timely and strategic saying that the credibility and success of the local government elections largely depend on the security framework that supports them because without adequate security, the integrity of the electoral process can be compromised, and public confidence eroded.
“The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission recognizes that election security is not the responsibility of any single agency. Rather, it requires a coordinated, intelligence-driven, and proactive approach involving all critical stakeholders. This is precisely why the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) remains an indispensable platform for collaboration, consultation, and joint planning.
“As we approach the 17th October elections, we must collectively focus on key priorities. These include Identifying potential security threats, Mapping out flashpoints across the state, Ensuring the safety of electoral personnel and materials, and Guaranteeing that voters can exercise their avic rights without fear or intimidation.
“I wish to particularly commend the commitment and professionalism of our security agencies. Your role in maintaining law and order before, during, and after the elections cannot be overemphasised.
“We rely heavily on your expertise, discipline, and neutrality to create a conducive environment for a credible electoral process.
“Let me also emphasize the need for strengthened synergy and real-time Communication among all agencies. Information sharing, Joint operations planning, and clear delineation of roles will be critical to avoiding overlaps and ensuring swift responses to any emerging challenges.
“Furthermore, I urge all stakeholders to remain guided by the principles of impartiality, rule of law, and respect for human rights. The confidence of the electorate depends not only on what we do, but also on how we do it.
“1 therefore call on all participants to engage actively, share insights, and contribute constructively to the deliberations.
“Let this meeting produce actionable outcomes that will strengthen our collective preparedness. ,
“On behalf of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, I assure you of our full cooperation and readiness to work with all stakeholders to ensure the success of the forthcoming elections”.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi and other security chiefs while making their contributions during the meeting assured that they would live up to expectation in the security of lives and property, before, during and after the polls.
