INEC insists only police have a legitimate function on election day

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is only the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that have a legitimate function during election exercises.

The electoral body also said the police, and not the military will lead security operations during the elections.

This was disclosed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Yakubu, the police will be in charge of guarding polling units and coordinate other security agencies, adding that the military would only be allowed within the outer periphery and then the police could call on them for assistance if need be.

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Yakubu said: “The military will not be involved in the polling units, they will not be involved in the immediate inner parts. But depending on the invitation they receive from the police, they may play a role assigned them by the lead agency in election security which is the Nigerian police.

“So, INEC works with the police as the lead security agency but based on the assessment of threat and the assistance the police require, they can also call on other agencies including the military.”

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