By Ukpa Ewa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have assured Anambra residents of adequate protection before, during and after the November 8 Governorship election.
This assurance was given at a one-day sensitization workshop on Electoral Risk Management (ERM) organized by INEC in Awka for electoral officers, civil society groups, media, and other stakeholders, aimed at identifying risk factors and developing strategies for a peaceful poll.
Addressing participants, the INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the Commission was committed to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections. She explained that ERM introduced after the 2011 post-election violence was domesticated in Nigeria to address risks such as insecurity, natural disasters and man made violence which sometimes could not be predictive, adding that flashpoints had already been identified for adequate security deployment.
On her part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said that the workshop was designed to train staff and brainstorm on how to ensure the election is credible. She explained that the exercise was also to expose participants to electoral risk factors peculiar to Anambra. She commended security agencies for their continued collaboration with INEC, assuring that the training would not be taken for granted.
The representatives of the Nigeria Police CSP Emeka Chukwuemeka and Department of State Services Mr. Shima Rhodes, promised tight security across the 21 local government areas. They also urged INEC to intensify voter sensitization to reduce apathy, assuring Journalists of full cooperation once duly accredited.
In her presentation, the facilitator Dr. Jennifer Ikechukwu explained electoral risk factors, indicators and levels, stressing that commitment was key to credible elections in a safe environment. She highlighted internal risks such as poor training of officers and problematic voter registration and external risks such as violence, kidnapping, cultism and thurgrey. She said the ERM tool helps track risks, predict possible threats and guide informed decisions.
Also, the Executive Director of Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development, Ugochi Freeman, commended INEC for the initiative and called for stricter prosecution of vote buyers.
The workshop featured breakout sessions in senatorial districts for identification of risk factors and preventive measures, as well as question and answer session.
Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
