By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has criticised the use of masked security operatives during elections.
According to the Jega, the presence of masked men are capable of scaring away electorates during polls.
The INEC chairman made the criticism at a forum with members of the Nigeria Civil Society Groups in Abuja, the nation’s capital. The forum, held yesterday, was organised by a coalition of the Nigeria Civil Society Groups aimed at reflecting on the Osun elections and examining the preparation of the electoral body for elections ahead.
Jega attributed the success of the election to the strategies that the Commission had adopted, including early distribution of materials and commencement of voting processes.
While recognizing the critical role of security personnel during elections, the INEC boss and members of the civil society groups emphatically condemned the use of masked security officers during elections.
The INEC was also advised to set up a process that will eliminate physical presence of personnel before things are done properly in elections.
Meanwhile, the Commission has expressed confidence that the elections in Adamawa, scheduled for October and the 2015 general elections would be better than both the Ekiti and Osun elections.
