The Electoral Institute in collaboration with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday in Bayelsa, began training for security personnel in the state for the state’s governorship election on Nov. 16.
The Director-General of the institute, Mr Sa’ad Idris, said during the inauguration of the training that “training on security is critical in the protection of electoral personnel, location and processes”.
Idris, represented by a director in the institute, Mr Ifeanyi Agu, said that the training was also to equip participants with requisite skills and knowledge.
In his speech, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that the commission had constantly engaged security agencies in preparations for elections.
He said that the commission considered security as a critical and key component of the electoral process and one of the indices for ensuring the credibility of elections.
Yakubu, represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa, Mr Monday Udoh, said that the benefits derived from the numerous consultations with Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security could not be over emphasised.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa Mr John Anozie, said that the election in Bayelsa would be free and fair.
He promised to secure lives and property during and after the conduct of the governorship election.
Anozie, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Jude Kolawole, assured the electorate of their safety in the day of the election.
Personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, The Nigeria Police and Department of State Services, among others.
