Kogi LG Elections: KOSIEC broadcasts meeting of Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Election Security – THISAGE

By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

As part of preparations for the October 17 local government elections in Kogi, the Independent State Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), on Wednesday, convened a meeting of the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Election Security to discuss the way forward for the unsuccessful polls.

Present at the meeting which held at the office of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, were representatives of the Customs, Immigration Service, Prison Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps as well as the Federal Road Safety Corps

The collaborative meeting is aimed at outlining the best strategies that ensure the safety of eligible voters and all citizens, before, during and after the elections.

The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Mamman Nda Eri, in his welcome address, described the meeting as timely and strategic, saying that the credibility and success of local government elections depend largely on the security framework that underpins them because without adequate security, the integrity of the electoral process can be compromised and public trust eroded.

“The Independent Electoral Commission of Kogi State recognizes that election security is not the responsibility of a single agency. Rather, it requires a coordinated, intelligence-driven and proactive approach involving all critical stakeholders. This is precisely why the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Election Security (ICCES) remains an indispensable platform for collaboration, consultation and joint planning.

“As we approach the October 17 election, we must collectively focus on key priorities, including identifying potential security threats, mapping hot spots across the state, ensuring the safety of election staff and materials, and ensuring voters can exercise their ancestral rights without fear or intimidation.

“I would like 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 emphasized enough.

“We rely heavily on your expertise, discipline and neutrality to create an enabling environment for a credible electoral process.

“I would also like to highlight the need for greater synergy and real-time communication between all agencies. Sharing information, planning joint operations and clearly defining roles will be key to avoiding overlaps and ensuring rapid 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 trust of the electorate depends not only on what we do, but also on how we do it.

“I therefore invite all participants to actively engage, share insights and contribute constructively to the deliberations.

“Let this meeting produce actionable results that will strengthen our collective preparedness.

“On behalf of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, I assure you

of our full cooperation and willingness to work with all stakeholders to ensure the success of the upcoming elections.”

Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi and other security chiefs, while giving input during the meeting, assured that they will live up to expectations in addressing security of lives and properties, before, during and after the elections.

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