Preparations for the June 20 Governorship election in Ekiti State received a boost as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, organized a special training programme for security personnel expected to participate in the exercise.
The training, held in Ado Ekiti, brought together officers from various security agencies to strengthen collaboration and ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election. Declaring the programme open, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the initiative was aimed at preparing security personnel for the important democratic exercise.
Dr. Omoseyindemi noted that the electoral body would continue to work closely with security agencies to guarantee a credible and violence-free poll.
He stressed the importance of professionalism and cooperation among all stakeholders in ensuring that voters carry out their civic duties without fear or intimidation.
Also speaking at the event, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Falade Micheal, assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place across the state.
He appealed to political actors, voters and other stakeholders to support efforts geared towards a peaceful election process.
Officials from INEC headquarters in Abuja, including the Director of Security, Mrs. Ndidi Okafor, alongside the Commissioner of Police in charge of the electoral body, Mr. Egbe Preye-Raymond, encouraged officers to remain professional in the discharge of their duties. Participants at the training, among them the spokesperson of the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Sunday Abutu, described the programme as timely and beneficial.
Security personnel from the police, military, Department of State Services, Federal Road Safety Corps, Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Customs attended the exercise.