By Ameh Gabriel
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on security agencies across Nigeria to implement proactive and comprehensive measures for the protection of electoral personnel, materials, and stakeholders ahead of a series of crucial upcoming elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this appeal during the second quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), held on Friday, June 27, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu emphasized that creating a secure and enabling environment is essential for the success of the elections, especially in light of security concerns raised by political parties, civil society organizations, and the media during recent consultations.
He outlined three major electoral activities the Commission is set to undertake within the next six months:
- Bye-elections – August 16, 2025:
INEC will conduct bye-elections to fill vacant positions in 16 constituencies across 12 states, covering two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly seats. The elections will span 32 local government areas, 356 registration areas (wards), and 6,987 polling units. Additionally, two court-ordered re-run elections disrupted by past violence in Enugu South I (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano State) will hold on the same date. - Anambra Governorship Election – November 8, 2025:
Yakubu announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Anambra State will run from July 8 to 17, 2025, across all 326 wards. He noted that while the security situation has relatively improved, the CVR presents an opportunity for security agencies to test and fine-tune their strategies ahead of the main election. - Nationwide CVR Resumption – August 2025:
The Commission will resume nationwide voter registration starting with online pre-registration on August 18, followed by physical registration on August 25 at INEC offices across all states and local government areas. Details of the exercise will be shared with security agencies for better coordination and deployment.
Professor Yakubu stressed the urgency of addressing specific security concerns already flagged by stakeholders and ensuring the protection of INEC staff, election materials, and voters throughout the entire process.
Representing the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a senior official commended INEC and ICCES members for their unwavering commitment to credible and peaceful elections. He reiterated the NSA’s assurance that security agencies will intensify intelligence gathering to identify and neutralize potential threats, especially in volatile areas where non-state actors may attempt to sabotage the process.
The NSA’s representative highlighted the importance of real-time intelligence sharing and proactive collaboration to avert security breaches. He also urged continued engagement with political parties and candidates to reduce tension and prevent violence.
“Political actors must act responsibly,” he warned, “as any attempt to incite violence or engage in electoral malpractice will be met with the full weight of the law.”
With preparations already underway for the 2027 general elections, INEC considers the upcoming elections—including the FCT Area Council polls and legislative bye-elections as vital to reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The ICCES, jointly chaired by the INEC Chairman and the National Security Adviser, remains central to election security coordination. It brings together law enforcement, intelligence, and safety agencies to ensure unified and efficient planning.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to deliver peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in the months ahead.
