Security agencies in Abuja, under the aegis of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), have given assurances of their operational readiness to maintain peace pre, during and post-FCT Area Council Election.

The security agencies gave their assurance at a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the commission gears up for the FCT council poll.

Speaking at the security meeting, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, and co- Chair ICCES, CP Miller Dantawaye, revealed plans to immediately set up a joint situation room to coordinate security plans for the election.

Dantawaye also directed the immediate deployment of police personnel to secure the EFCC’s facilities across the six (6) Area Councils of the FCT, and to provide enough security for the PVC collection exercise at designated points across the sixty two (62) Registration Areas.

The Commissioner of Police also assured of the commitment of ICCES to tackling the operational bottlenecks that often hinder the early deployment of security personnel on election day; as well as the provision of adequate security at security flashpoints across the FCT for a smooth and peaceful Area Council poll.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC-FCT, Malam Aminu Kasimu Idris, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to ICCES for the huge commitments made in securing electoral activities in the FCT.

Idris noted that the contributions of the various security agencies had over the years provided safe passage for the implementation of the Commission’s programs.

He maintained that with the election just a month away, a lot is expected from the security agencies to boost the confidence of people in their safety, and thus encourage their participation at the poll.

On the Commission’s level of preparedness for the election, the Administrative Secretary, INEC-FCT, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, stated that INEC election focal activities are time-bound, and the Commission has been progressively implementing them.

To ensure the success of its activities, Mrs. Oladunjoye said, the Commission is engaging large pool of election stakeholders to strengthen the electoral ecosystem for the conduct of INEC schedule of activities leading to the Area Council Election.

INEC added that the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security meeting came to a close with a resolution for another round of consultative meeting before the Area Council Election for effective security plans for the election.