INEC Holds training for ESPs in preparation for the 2023 Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States Governorship Elections
Oru Leonard
Ahead of the November 11th, 2023 Governorship elections in Balyelsa, Imo and Kogi states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has started training workshop for Election Security Personnel (ESP), on Thursday 5th October, 2023 with the Training of Officers from the State Commands of the various Nigerian Security Agencies in Yenagoa-Bayelsa, Owerri-Imo, and Lokoja-Kogi States.
The objective of the training is to get participants up to date with the Initiatives and Innovations introduced by the Commission and to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities as stakeholders in the electoral process. The Workshop also aimed to enhance participants understanding of the Ethical and Legal provisions that guide their operations as well as enhance professionalism in the conduct of ESPs before, during and efter elections.
The Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute (BEI) Professor Abdullahi Zuru in his welcome address thanked the participants for partnering with INEC to deliver this training. He further acknowledged the role they played for a peaceful 2023 General Election and tasked them to apply the same commitment to ensure more peaceful elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi.
In his Welcome address, the Director General of the Electoral Institute, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris in his speech pointed out that Security is indispensable to Elections and remains one of the key aspects of the Electoral process that is not the responsibility of only the Commission to provide. He therefore urged for the dedication and commitment of the Nigerian security agencies in guaranteeing Free, Fair, Credible, Inclusive and Peaceful Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Governorship Elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioners of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi declared made remarks in the workshops in their various states and expressed their hope and confidence in the Security Agencies to provide a safe environment where all Political Parties can freely campaign, voters can peacefully excercise their franchise and staff of the Commission can peacefully conduct the elections without intimidation in the buildup, during and after the Governorship elections coming up on 11th November, 2023.
