ONDO GOBER POLLS 2024: INEC Begins Training of Electoral Security Personnel
Oru Leonard
The Training of Electoral Security Personnel commenced today Monday 14th October, 2024 at ICAN HOUSE, Akure. Ondo State.
The objective of the three days Training organised by The Electoral Institute (TEI) is to bring out the best and ignite high level of professionalism in our Security Personnel in preparation for Ondo Governorship Election scheduled for 16th November, 2024 thereby ensuring free, fair, credible and inclusive elections and democratic consolidation. The Training was declared open by the Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute (BEI) Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru. In his opening address read by the REC, Ondo State, the Chair BEI tasked security personnel to ensure safe Electoral environment for citizens to freely participate in governance.
The Hon. Resident Electoral Commissioner INEC Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola who represented the Chair BEI in her opening remarks tasked Security agencies to synergize and share intelligence to provide a robust security architecture for the forthcoming Election. The Chair BEI also reiterated the need to mitigate vote buying at the Polling Units.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command CP Abayomi Oladipo in his remarks, gave credence to the ICCES framework as a potent vehicle needed to secure the electoral environment. He stated further that the training will enhance professionalism of Security agents deployed on election duty.
The Director General of the Electoral Institute, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, in his welcome address highlighted the synergy between INEC and Security agencies and urged participants to give attention to the training as the mandate to conduct free, fair, credible and inclusive Elections in Ondo State is a collective responsibility. He further stated that adequate Security ensures the free movement of electoral staff, voters, candidates, observers and other Stakeholders on Election day and this adds to the credibility of the electoral process.
Security Training is geared to build a mitigation strategy for improved Election Security and also to enable participants identify the core role of security agencies at elections.
Participants at the workshop are drawn from members of ICCES in ONDO STATE which includes; The Nigeria Police (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Department of State Security (DSS), Fed. Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Nigeria Army, Navy and Air Force.
Also present at the Opening ceremony are Director Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed, Director Research & Documentation Pro.Ibrahim Sani, Commandant NSCDC INEC Hq, Asst. Controller Fire Service INEC Hq, Admin. Secretary of INEC Ondo State, Mr Biodun Onikate and other Management Staff of INEC Ondo State and the Training dept, the Electoral Institute. The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on 16th November 2024.
A pre-test was administered on the participants after opening formalities and setting of the ground rules.
Highlights of the Training:
Cover Photo Caption: CP ONDO STATE Mr. Abayomi Oladipo, REC ONDO STATE Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, DG, TEI Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris in a group photograph with other ICCES MEMBERS and participants at the Training of Electoral Security Personnel for Ondo State Governorship Election.
