The Africa Security Forum (UK) has expressed sadness over the violence that characterised the just concluded Nigerian general elections that resulted in the death of about 40 individuals across the length and breadth of the country. It lamented that the election-related violence is one of the many factors that adversely impacted on the low turnout of the registered voters.

It decried the inability of the police to contain violence during the elections despite the colossal sum and facilities at its disposal.

It called on both the legislative and executive arms of government to organise a public hearing into the role of security agencies in the 2019 election and development of an implementation plan to demilitarise Nigeria election prior to 2023 election.

A statement issued by the Forum, signed by its President, Temitope Olodo, said that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration must ensure that electoral reform that is people driven is one of the major projects of the Federal Government after the commencement of the second term in office.

It gave the following suggestions as a way of improving election security in Nigeria:

Establishment of Electoral Policing Unit

Nigeria Police Force is advised to create a Commissioner of Police for Electoral Policing responsible for working in partnership with INEC and other sister agencies to ensure election safety and security with a better understanding of electoral enforcement laws.

It is applauding that in the 21st Century, Nigeria Police Force does not have a designated unit that specialises in electoral security and that explains why with all the culprits arrested for electoral crimes; the public could hardly point at a successful charge and prosecution of anyone for electoral offences.

“Africa Security Forum (UK) is calling on Nigeria Inspector General of Police is create a Commissioner of Police for Electoral Policing with Police Officers attached with the designated units trained on handling electoral related safety, security, enforcement and prosecution issues,” the Forum said.

Establishment of a Multi-Agency Electoral Security Commission

“With 53.2 billion Naira allocated to Nigeria security agencies for ensuring safety and security of the 2019 election; it is clear that a better conducted and co-ordinated security infrastructure would be a better approach to election security management,” Africa Security Forum said.

It expressed concern that “with all the allocation to the individual security agencies in Nigeria from N 9.5 billion to NSA, N2.6 billion to Immigration Service, N10.2 billion to DSS, N27.3 billion to Nigeria Police and N3.6 billion to NSCDC; only the police were really visible and the public will challenge the amount allocated to the agencies.”

“It is for the above reason, that the setting up of a multi-agency electoral security commission for the election will save cost and reduce the lack of transparency in the management of security during an election period,” the Forum added.