2027: Police, not military should lead election security – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that the deployment of the Armed Forces during elections should remain an exceptional measure, insisting that the Nigeria Police Force remains the constitutionally recognised lead agency for election security.

The commission said military involvement in elections should only occur under exceptional circumstances where prevailing security conditions require assistance to civil authorities, stressing that such deployments must be carried out strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and other applicable laws.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the position known while delivering a keynote address at a seminar organised by the Army War College Nigeria in Abuja. The seminar focused on election security, civil-military relations and the legal framework guiding the conduct of democratic elections in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan said Nigeria’s electoral process is founded on constitutional principles that clearly define the roles of institutions responsible for election management and security. He stressed that preserving those constitutional boundaries is essential to safeguarding public confidence in democratic elections.

Police remain constitutionally responsible for election security

Represented by the Commission’s Director of Legal Services, Al-Hassan Umar, Amupitan commended the Armed Forces for their patriotism and commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity but maintained that the military’s role during elections should be supportive rather than supervisory.

“As both a teacher and practitioner of law, permit me to begin by reaffirming the constitutional framework governing election security in Nigeria,” he said.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly delineates the responsibilities of institutions involved in the electoral process. INEC is constitutionally mandated to organise, undertake and supervise elections, while the Nigeria Police Force remains the lead agency for election security under the framework of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.”

He explained that the constitutional framework clearly assigns election security responsibilities, making the police the primary agency responsible for maintaining law and order during polls.

According to him, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security was established to promote coordination among security agencies while ensuring that the police retain operational leadership during elections.

Military deployment should remain exceptional

The INEC chairman stressed that military deployment should never become a routine feature of elections, adding that soldiers should only be called upon when security challenges exceed the capacity of civil authorities.

“The role of the Armed Forces is exceptional rather than routine. Their deployment arises only where prevailing security conditions require military support in aid of the civil authorities and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and other applicable laws.

“Accordingly, the Armed Forces perform a supportive rather than supervisory role, protective rather than political, and one firmly anchored in constitutional responsibility.”

He noted that the military’s primary responsibility during elections is to provide support where necessary without interfering in the democratic process or assuming responsibilities assigned to other security agencies.

Amupitan warned that maintaining clearly defined institutional roles would help preserve public trust in the electoral process and reduce concerns over undue influence during elections.

INEC reiterates commitment to credible elections

The INEC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting elections that are transparent, inclusive, technologically driven and professionally managed in full compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

He said INEC would continue to ensure adequate provisions for persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups to enable them to participate fully in the electoral process.

The chairman also called on the Armed Forces and other security agencies to discharge their responsibilities professionally while respecting the dignity and fundamental rights of Nigerians.

“Our shared objective is not merely the conduct of peaceful elections, but elections in which every Nigerian can freely exercise the constitutional right to vote without fear, intimidation or unlawful interference,” he said.

According to him, security personnel must inspire confidence among voters, protect election officials, safeguard electoral materials and preserve the integrity of the electoral process throughout the voting period.

CDS calls for neutrality ahead of 2027 polls

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, urged members of the Armed Forces to maintain strict neutrality, professionalism and adherence to international human rights standards during election-related operations.

Represented by Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the CDS said the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would not only be measured by the absence of violence but also by compliance with democratic principles and respect for the rule of law.

Oluyede said previous elections had tested the military’s operational readiness, inter-agency cooperation and civil-military relations, but noted that the Armed Forces had consistently demonstrated professionalism despite attempts by unscrupulous elements to undermine the electoral process.

He explained that the seminar, titled “The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Conducting Free, Fair and Credible Elections: Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections in Perspective,” was organised to equip commanders and staff officers with the knowledge required to operate effectively in an increasingly complex security environment.

The CDS reminded officers that the 1999 Constitution empowers the Armed Forces to suppress insurrection and provide aid to civil authorities only when required by law, adding that the military had consistently acted within those constitutional limits.

He also commended officers and soldiers for their professional conduct during recent off-cycle and by-elections in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo states, expressing confidence that lessons learnt from those elections would strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve rapid response capabilities and help guarantee peaceful, credible and violence-free elections in 2027.