Author(s) :

LT COL USMAN Hamza Abubakar Ph.D.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The insurgency since 2009 has significantly disrupted electoral process in the North-east, Nigeria. This study examines the impact of insurgency on electoral security with emphasis on the role of the military in securing the electoral process in the North East, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 342 respondents comprising community members, civil servants, politicians, security operatives, INEC staff, businessmen, and students. The findings revealed that the effects of insurgency on security of electoral officers included fear and anxiety (35.0%), abduction and hostage-taking (20.8%), threats and intimidation (19.0%). The study found that the effects of insurgency on security of registration materials included destruction (28.1%), high replacement costs (21.3%), and loss of Permanent Voter Cards (19.6%). In response, the military played critical role such as airlifting of INEC umpires and sensitive materials (27.0%), armed convoy escorts (21.6%), area domination (19.9%), protection of IDP voting centres (18.4%), and safeguarding of INEC facilities (13.1%). The study concludes that insurgency has significantly undermined electoral process in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. While military support to electoral process remains indispensable, sustainable electoral integrity in the Northeast requires enhanced psychosocial support for electoral officers, redundant digital backup systems for registration data, and strengthening of civil-military coordination through the Joint Election Taskforce. The study recommends institutionalizing joint planning cells, investing in modern resilient technology and expanding community-based early warning networks to protect the electoral officers and registration materials in conflict-affected regions. Keywords: Insurgency, Electoral Security, Electoral Process, Nigerian Military, North East

No. of Downloads :

0