Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has insisted that military will be in use during the coming elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is opposing to the deployment of military personnel during elections for fear that they could be manipulated to the advantage of the ruling party.
The chief electoral umpire said there was need for the military to be on standby to nip any outbreak of violence on the bud.
Jega spoke at a dialogue session the commission held with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, accredited observers and political parties in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Jega, who was represented by a National Commissioner at INEC, Mrs. Amina Zakari, said however the commission will not allow the use of masked security men during the poll, adding that INEC has already held meetings with all the security agencies in the country.
Nevertheless, the INEC boss noted that constitutionally, the burden of providing security on election day rests with the Nigeria Police Force who he said could request the service of other paramilitary agencies like the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
