The Nigeria military, who are largely involved in all aspects of election in the country, has been advised to acquire more education to ensure the success of the 2023 elections.
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Army, Hon Abdulrasak Namdas, gave the advice at a two day Seminar organised for Heads Of Security Agencies, in Abuja, on ” The Role Of Security Agencies In The Electoral Process.”
Cooperating With Other Military Personnel
Namadas stressed the need for security agents to be committed to the democratic processes by cooperating with other military personnel to enhance credible elections.
The Chairman House Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, and Electoral Matters, Hon Aisha Dukku, said that elections can only be held in a transparent atmosphere where results reflect the votes cast.
“The important role of the security personnel in midwifing true democracy can never be overemphasised,” Dukku said.
She stressed that security operatives who should participate in the conduct of elections must be professionals who are willing to grow democracy.
“Importantly, in my opinion, there are rules of engagement security agents must observe during elections, security operatives must understand the timetable for the conduct of each election as well as know the dramatis personae in every election. They must be able to identify the forms used in each election and be familiar with the purpose of each form,” she advised.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maumood Yakubu, in his keynote address, said that there was a need to look into the role security play during elections.
He noted that the success and failure of every election depends on the professionalism of security operatives.
“Security is indespensible in the success of democracy. Security operatives are parts a parcel of what INEC does,” Professor Yakubu said.
He said that every aspect of Nigeria elections involve security.
The Country Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Marija Peran said that the core role of the military was to first promote peace, which was only possible by enlightening them on what to expect.
She noted that it was important for security personnel to exhibit neutrality during elections rather than being partisan to political parties.
Lateefah Ibrahim
