Security experts, under the aegis of Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, have urged the Federal Government to create a peaceful atmosphere and ensure that the 2015 general elections are violence-free.
The ALPSPN National President, David Akhimien, said this at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos.
Akhimien, who noted that the association would contribute its quota towards security, urged the Federal Government to make adequate logistics available for security agencies to work effectively.
He said, “We emphasise the role that security agents play during elections and we therefore urge the Federal Government to make adequate logistics available to enable security agencies to carry out their constitutional duties.
“We are willing to offer our services and men across the country to be deployed by INEC in collaboration with all other security agencies in whatever role. We encourage our colleagues deployed in any area for election duties to be extra vigilant to curtail the activities of miscreants and political thugs who may have plans for ballot boxes stuffing and votes’ manipulation.”
The ALPSPN president also advised INEC to redouble its efforts in the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards to prevent Nigerian adults from disenfranchisement.
He said, “The position of INEC to continue the distribution of the PVCs even after the given time is commendable. This will ensure that Nigerians are not disenfranchised from the elections. We also note with concern the struggle INEC is facing to conduct credible elections in the North Eastern part of the country where the activities of insurgents have made the region a dangerous territory to operate.”
On how voters should conduct themselves on the days of election, the ALPSPN advised voters to avoid wearing political campaign clothes as the campaign period would have been over. Voters on the elections day were also advised to avoid political discussions at the polling booths, and to wear light shoes in case they needed to escape from the area if violence erupted.
