An Interrogation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Security Challenges in the Conduct of 2019 and 2023 Presidential Elections in Nigeria.

Abstract

The conduct of general elections in Nigeria is a fundamental function of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But, for the successful conduct of every election, the Commission requires the provision of adequate security by security agencies for Electoral officials, materials needed for the election as well as the electorates during and after elections. These have made the security agencies an indispensable body for the conduct of free, fair and credible election in Nigeria and in most other democratic countries in Africa. However, with the application of the qualitative method of gathering data and analysis, this work discovers that the attitude and disposition of some security agents assigned for electoral duties in Nigeria have continue to pose a threat to successful conduct of free, fair and credible election in Nigeria as witnessed in the presidential elections of 2019 and 2023. For instance, this paper establishes the fact that some of these security agents while on electoral duties fail to take directives from INEC officials, lack coordination between security agents on electoral duties and their respective hierarchy and there were hardly any punishment for these infringements by necessary authorities. In view of these shortcomings on the part of security agents in elections management, the paper suggests that all security agents assigned for election duties should take order from INEC officials assigned for such purpose; suggests a synergy between election agents on election duties and their hierarchies and also proposes that there should be punishments for security officials who connived with politicians for election frauds.