LG Elections: KWSIEC collaborates with security agencies for hitch-free exercise

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

In a bid to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the forthcoming local government elections across the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State, the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) held a crucial meeting with various security agencies on Saturday.

The meeting, which took place at the Commission’s headquarters, was attended by top officials from several state agencies, including Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya of the Nigeria Police, Brigadier General O. D. William of the Nigeria Army, the Department of State Security (DSS), and Commandant J. G. Umaru of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Ilorin Command.

The Chairman of the State Electoral Commission, Mallam Okanla Baba, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the electoral body and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful and orderly election.

He highlighted past incidents of electoral violence and stressed that such occurrences must be prevented to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.

“We are committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections. Ensuring the safety of voters, electoral staff, and materials is paramount. We need the full cooperation of all security agencies to achieve this,” Mallam Okanla stated.

Mallam Okanla reiterated the Commission’s call for cooperation from all stakeholders, including political parties and their supporters, to ensure a smooth electoral process. He also appealed to the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.

Speaking at the meeting, CP Victor Olaiya noted that the Police is the main stakeholder in election matters while other agencies are to support. He urged the commission to always give prior notices before any activities, assuring the police’s readiness to deploy adequate personnel to all polling units and collation centers. He mentioned that special units will be mobilized to handle any potential threats and disturbances.

“We are prepared to ensure that the elections are conducted in a secure environment. Our officers will be on ground to prevent any form of violence or disruption. We urge all political actors to play by the rules and maintain peace,” Olaiya said.

The meeting also had input from the heads of other security agencies, including Brigadier General O. D. William, Commander of the 22 Armed Brigade, Ilorin, who spoke on intelligence-gathering efforts to preempt any security challenges. He reiterated that the Army will provide security for all Commission staff as well as all law-abiding citizens and electorates during the election process.

“We have been monitoring the situation closely and have identified potential hotspots. Our intelligence teams are working around the clock to ensure we stay ahead of any threats,” General William noted.

The Local Government elections are scheduled to hold on September 21, 2024. The State Electoral Commission has assured the electorate that all necessary measures are being put in place to ensure their votes count in a peaceful and secure environment.