Lancelot Anyanya Nigerian project must guard against. The consequences are too grave to contemplate. 2.9 Conclusion Historical antecedents gave rise to justifiable concerns about security during the 2011 general elections. The 2010 workshop was one of the efforts made to sensitize and prepare stakeholders for the anticipated monumental security challenges of the 2011 polls. Despite this level of anticipation and preparation, unprecedented violence attended the very first round of polls in some parts of the country with devastating consequences that still linger on the national security landscape. Prevailing developments in the socio­political arena point to an even more frightful scenario in 2015 if urgent steps are not taken to anticipate and mitigate the looming dangers. The remedial actions recommended by the 2010 workshop are still very pertinent and should be implemented within a strategic framework that will deliver fundamental security sector reforms. INEC should upgrade its in-house capacity to engage optimally with these issues as the primary owner of the mission of attaining a healthy security atmosphere for elections, while the security agencies should be more involved in advocating for necessary institutional reforms to make them more responsive to contemporary challenges. All stakeholders should work to ensure that things do not slide to a level where the public loses confidence in the neutrality and ability of security agencies. 30 ELECTION SECURITY IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING Chapter Three LEGAL CONSTRAINTS TO ELECTION SECURITY IN NIGERIA Ibrahim K. Bawa Esq. 3.1 Introduction Our reference to security in the context of this paper is a reference to what is done or put in place to keep someone or something safe from crime. Election security therefore refers to actions or steps taken to secure the electoral process. There are many players and materials in the electoral process. Securing the electoral process may therefore refer to security of personnel, materials, voters or environment. It could also be that of protecting the sanctity of the ballot and the results of the election. Let me now examine aspects of the Electoral Act as they pertain to election security. 3.2 Security of election personnel, materials, voters and environment. Provisions abound in the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended) to guarantee security of election personnel, material, voters and environment. (a) Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended) The Commission is empowered by Section 26 of the ELECTION SECURITY IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING 31