The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has held a one-day Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Workshop on Electoral Risk Management (ERM) as part of intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The workshop, organised by the Commission’s Planning and Monitoring Department, brought together security agencies (including members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security – ICCES), Electoral Officers from the state’s 20 Local Government Areas, Heads of Departments, and other key stakeholders. The aim was to identify potential electoral threats and develop practical strategies to prevent, mitigate, and manage them effectively.
Prof. Ayobami Salami, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos, represented by Administrative Secretary Mrs. Adenike Tadese, highlighted a range of potential risks that could affect the electoral process. These include security threats, political tensions, logistical delays, equipment failure, misinformation, disinformation and fake news, personnel challenges, and unforeseen environmental conditions.
He stressed that effective risk management goes beyond reacting to problems after they occur. “Our responsibility is not merely to respond when problems arise but to identify vulnerabilities early and implement appropriate preventive and contingency measures,” he said. Electoral Risk Management, he explained, offers a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating risks that could disrupt activities, endanger safety, or erode public confidence.
Salami noted that Lagos presents unique operational challenges due to its large population, densely populated communities, complex transportation networks, and intense commercial activity. These realities demand careful planning, reliable information, timely resource deployment, and robust contingency arrangements.
He urged Electoral Officers and Heads of Departments to treat risk identification and reporting as a continuous daily responsibility rather than an Election Day activity, emphasising accurate documentation, verified information, clear escalation channels, and collaboration with the relatively new state-level Planning and Monitoring Department.
Participants engaged in group discussions organised across Lagos’s three Senatorial Districts. The sessions focused on identifying location-specific risks and proposing tailored mitigation measures suited to the operational realities of each area.
A major highlight of the workshop was the demonstration of the INEC Security Alert and Notification System (SANS) application. The mobile platform, designed exclusively for INEC personnel and authorised ad-hoc staff, enables secure SOS alerts (including offline transmission capability), real-time notifications, and rapid reporting of electoral threats. It supports prompt response by security agencies and relevant responders, enhancing the safety of staff, materials, and the overall process.
Mr. Oluwole Ojo, Head of the Planning and Monitoring Department, outlined the workshop’s objectives: deepening understanding of the ERM framework, improving early warning and response mechanisms, strengthening stakeholder collaboration, and supporting evidence-based planning. “Election security is the responsibility of all. We need to collaborate with all critical stakeholders. We must come together and provide information on measures to tackle all risks and provide solutions to everything that can undermine the process,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of ICCES, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the commitment of the police and other security agencies to ensuring violence-free campaigns and a peaceful election in 2027, in line with approved guidelines.
The workshop reinforced the critical importance of sustained collaboration among INEC, security agencies, the National Orientation Agency, the media, and other stakeholders. Participants were encouraged to share experiences, close operational gaps, and convert the insights gained into practical improvements in preparedness.
In his closing remarks, Salami called for continued vigilance and professionalism: “Let us remain vigilant, professional, and committed to ensuring that the 2027 General Election is peaceful, credible, transparent, inclusive, and worthy of public confidence.”