(DDM) – The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has issued a strong warning to security agencies, cautioning them against militarising or weaponising the forthcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for Saturday.
According to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the rights group, led by its board chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, said recent security deployments and public statements from the military and police suggest a worrisome pattern that could discourage voter participation rather than enhance electoral security.
Intersociety expressed concern over what it described as the “excessive show of force” in parts of Anambra State, noting that such actions could intimidate civilians and reduce confidence in the electoral process.
The group emphasised that elections are civic exercises, not warfare, and urged security forces to respect human rights while maintaining law and order.
It warned that any attempt to instill fear or create an atmosphere of violence could delegitimise the results of the poll.
“An election should be about ballots, not bullets,” Umeagbalasi declared, urging the Nigerian Army and Police to act as protectors of democracy, not instruments of political control.
Background checks by DDM show that Intersociety, founded in 2008, has consistently monitored human rights violations and security-related abuses in Nigeria’s Southeast.
The organisation has repeatedly raised alarms about military overreach during elections, particularly in states like Anambra, Imo, and Abia, where armed presence often sparks tension among residents.
In the buildup to the election, security agencies had announced massive troop deployments, citing threats of violence and possible disruption by criminal groups.
However, civil rights groups argue that such tactics often lead to voter apathy and allegations of harassment, especially in opposition strongholds.
Intersociety urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain neutrality and ensure that all parties and voters are treated fairly.
It also called on international observers to closely monitor the election for signs of voter suppression, intimidation, or security manipulation.
The group appealed to Anambra citizens not to be frightened by the heavy security presence, assuring them that peaceful participation in the election remains the best way to defend democracy.
“We cannot build a free society by militarising civic duties,” the statement continued. “Security must protect, not persecute; it must safeguard the ballot, not suppress it.”
Political analysts told DDM that the warning reflects growing anxiety among citizens over the militarisation of elections in Nigeria, which has become a recurring issue since 2019.
They noted that heavy-handed security tactics, rather than promoting order, often create panic and dissuade voters, especially in volatile regions.
As Anambra prepares for another crucial poll, observers say how security agencies conduct themselves may determine whether voters see the election as a democratic exercise or a display of force.