Lilian Mahiri-Zaja 122 ELECTION SECURITY IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING Chapter Nine NEW SECURITY CHALLENGES OF ELECTION MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA: TOWARDS 2015 Abdulhamid Buba 9.1 Introduction As the Nation moves towards the next general elections in 2015, there are emerging security challenges that are manifesting in the electoral process. The new dimensions of security challenges are very likely to undermine the authenticity of election results. This kind of situation does two evils: firstly, it leads to disillusionment with the electoral process, which consequently causes public distrust. Secondly, it in-turn breaches security, which then leads to electoral violence and political instability. 9.2 The new dimensions of security challenges are: (i) Monetary inducement of voters at polling stations. A money bag is stationed somewhere away from the polling station, while his agents lure voters to thumb­print in favour of his party in the open as against the secrecy, provided by law. This is normally done outside the cubicle and they display such votes cast to the public. The agent then signals the money bag and some amount of money is thereby released to the voter. The amount ranges from N300 N500 per vote. ELECTION SECURITY IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING 123