Caught Off Guard: INEC Requires Security Personnel To Swear Oath For Ondo Governorship Election

Caught Off Guard: INEC Requires Security Personnel To Swear Oath For Ondo Governorship ElectionThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that security personnel assigned to the governorship election in Ondo State on November 16 must take an oath of neutrality. According to Naija News, previous elections have seen security operatives facing numerous allegations of bias.

As concerns rise regarding the upcoming election, INEC announced that security officers, sourced from various agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), must perform their electoral duties in a manner that prioritizes the nation’s interests.

During a press briefing in Akure, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, revealed that the commission has begun training for security personnel involved in the election, with a total of 11,799 individuals selected from different security units and formations across the state.

Babalola emphasized the importance of this training for fostering cooperation between INEC and security agencies to ensure voter protection and a peaceful election process.

“To create a secure electoral environment before, during, and after the November 16 governorship election, INEC has initiated the Election Security Personnel (ESP) training program. This initiative is designed for all categories of security personnel deployed at various stages of the election.

“A total of 11,799 personnel will undergo a three-day training program aimed at equipping our security agents with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle the unique challenges that may arise surrounding the election.

“Those involved in the election process will take an oath of loyalty and neutrality, as mandated by the electoral act,” she stated.

Babalola assured that INEC is fully prepared to conduct a transparent election in the state and announced plans to provide the official voter register to political parties.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner also confirmed that the total number of newly registered voters in the state, which stands at 2,053,061, will be disclosed to political parties today, in compliance with Section 10 (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022.