Election security is often associated with what happens at polling stations on election day, but the CLEEN Foundation is drawing attention to a wider issue: keeping communities safe before, during and after elections.
The foundation made the call during a two-day Citizens’ Engagement on Election Security held in Gusau, Zamfara State, under the theme “Election Security: Building Safer Communities Before and After Elections.” The engagement brought together community representatives and relevant institutions to discuss security concerns and ways to strengthen community participation.
According to CLEEN Foundation Executive Director Peter Maduoma, represented at the event by Senior Programme Officer Bernard Ekobay, election security should be treated as a continuous process rather than a one-day responsibility. He noted that problems such as violence, hate speech, disinformation and voter disenfranchisement can affect communities beyond the election itself.
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The foundation’s approach places communities at the centre of identifying potential risks. Women, young people and traditional leaders are expected to contribute to community election-security threat mapping, helping identify warning signs and local concerns before they escalate. Participants are also expected to develop a Citizens’ Charter of Demand outlining their expectations from security and electoral institutions.
The programme also creates an opportunity for community representatives to engage with institutions including the Nigeria Police Force and INEC, while political candidates and parties are expected to make commitments to peaceful conduct through a peace accord. CLEEN says stronger communication between communities and formal institutions can make security responses more responsive and accountable.
For an ordinary family, the importance of election security can go far beyond casting a ballot. When insecurity disrupts a community, people may struggle to run businesses, access farms, attend school or move freely. This makes peaceful elections not only a democratic concern, but also a community and development issue.
CLEEN Foundation’s initiative therefore points to a broader lesson: safer elections begin long before voters arrive at polling stations. Building trust, listening to communities and identifying potential problems early can help create an environment where people can participate in civic life without fear.
