ELECTION MANAGEMENT AND THE SECURITY OF ELECTORAL PERSONNEL

ABSTRACT

The study examined Election management and the security of electoral personnel in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State within the time frame of 2016 to 2019. The objectives of the study include the following: To examine the modalities put in place by the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the security of electoral personnel during elections in Egor Local Government Area, to investigate if security agencies in Edo State are well equipped to ensure the security of electoral personnel during elections in Egor Local Government Area, to examine the challenges faced by INEC in ensuring the security of electoral personnel in Egor Local Government Area, to proffer necessary solutions to curbing the issue of insecurity of electoral personnel in Egor Local Government Area during elections. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study shall include the total number of persons living in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State which according to the National Population Commission (2006) is 340,287. The instrument used for the collection of data was the questionnaire which was administered to the study sampled respondents. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient analytical method to test the hypotheses generated for the study. The study discovered amongst others that, lack of security equipment is a major challenge to the security of INEC personnel in Egor Local Government Area. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others that, more funds should be allocated for the security and safety of INEC personnel during elections in Nigeria.