2019: INEC tasks security operatives on professionalism, neutrality in Taraba

Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged Security Operatives to exhibit high sense of professionalism as they discharge their duties during the February 16th and March 2nd general elections. The Taraba State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC, Alhaji Baba Abba Yusuf stated this while declaring open a one day Workshop on training of hundreds of Security Operatives on how to remain neutral while discharging their duties during the February 16 and March 2 general elections. The INEC Boss also added that the Electorates will be watching how the Commission and the Security Aparatus will protect them and their votes. He noted that high level of professionalism and efficiency is expected from Security Operatives to apprehend Electoral offenders during elections. Alh. Baba Yusuf further reiterated that the Commission can only conduct free, fair and credible polls through the cooperation of the Security Agencies and Stakeholders in the State. According to him, the Electorates expect the Commission to work in synergy with the Security Operatives with a view to protecting their votes and making sure it counts. Speaking at the event, the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP, David Akinremi called on other Security Agencies to cooperate with the Police towards achieving a common course. “We hope that other Security Agencies would see this as a clarion call and team up with the Police for credible and peaceful polls,” he said. Dave Akinremi frowned at the previous elections across the country where according to him, the Police alone were left to protect Votes of the Electorates at the various Collation Centres which is not really encouraging.