'Lai Olurode As can be observed from the core functions of INEC as enumerated above, there is no role for it to be involved in elaborate security plans for elections. However, from Nigeria's collective memories as they relate to pre-election, election and post-election management, security strategies and considerations are important success factors. Generally, the electoral process in Nigeria had hitherto been marred by acts of lawlessness, impunity, killings, assassinations and wanton destructions of life and properties. Power is a prime commodity and access to the state arena may well determine life chances. This explains the fierce struggle to find a space within the state arena. Elections are not just ends in themselves but means to the greater end of being recruited to political offices. Ballot is the medium through which one can lay claim to spaces within the state. Securing the ballot is therefore important if the process is to be regarded as credible. The above underlines why ab initio, Nigeria's EMBs under the leadership of Attahiru Jega places a high premium on election security. Apart from sufferings from poor logistics plan, previous elections had gone under standard performance largely because they were not well secured. Thus the Commission was under no illusion, whatsoever, that its success would be determined more by how secured the ballot is. The Commission's thoughts on election security may be apt at this point of our discussion. 1.3 How does the Commission Think Election Security? Being an evolving phenomenon, only an overview will be possible at this stage. In private and official discussions among members of the Commission, we came to some immediate conclusions at the early stage of our appointments by Mr President: one was that in all that we have to do, we will listen to all stakeholders but the final decisions 16 Introduction: Electoral Reforms and Election Security will be ours and that we would remain ethical and focused no matter the challenges and distractions. Individually and collectively, it was agreed that we must provide and radiate credible leadership; second, the previous register of voters' had to be jettisoned for a new compilation of voters' roll as the previous register contained fundamental flaws that could not be remedied; and third, election security matters need to be researched and elevated to the front burners in our election plans. One of the commissioners quickly put a memo together for the Commission's consideration on the need to establish a security committee for effective management of elections in Nigeria. The Commission favourably considered this memo and a security committee was put in place at the headquarters under the leadership of the chairman. Similar committees were inaugurated at the states and local government levels. The states level are under the joint leadership of RECs and commissioners of police; while at the local governments level the divisional police officers and electoral officers hold the fort on election security matters. Following a workshop on security challenges of election management in Nigeria which the Commission jointly organized in October, 2010 with FES, the idea of an expanded security committee was muted with membership from all arm bearing security agencies and related bodies. Both the chairman of INEC and the office of the NSA are to co-chair the committee. The inspector general of police is to provide leadership for the participating agencies. The workshop was organised in determination to call more attention to the Commission's random thoughts on election security. The expanded security committee came to be known as the ICCES. At its inaugural meeting on December, 2010, the Chairman of the Commission, 17