The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains the primary agency responsible for election security, rejecting the routine deployment of the military during electoral processes.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this known on Thursday through the Commission’s Director of Legal, Al-Hassan Umar, while delivering a keynote address at a seminar held at the Army War College in Abuja.

He stressed that the involvement of the Armed Forces in election duties should be exceptional and only necessitated by prevailing security challenges requiring military assistance in support of civil authorities.

According to him, the constitutional framework clearly outlines the responsibilities of institutions involved in the electoral process, assigning the police a leading role in maintaining security during elections.

“As both a teacher and practitioner of the 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.

“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.”

The Commission maintained that adherence to constitutional provisions and established security frameworks is critical to ensuring credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in Nigeria.

Further details are expected.