A Nigerian man has sparked conversations after calling on relevant authorities to introduce special voting arrangements for military and paramilitary personnel deployed for election duties, arguing that their votes should not be overlooked.
In a video circulating on social media, the man questioned why security operatives tasked with protecting lives and property during elections often have little or no opportunity to participate in the voting process.
He estimated that more than 400,000 personnel across military and paramilitary agencies could be affected, including police officers, soldiers and Air Force personnel.
“Do you also know that on election day, the military and the paramilitary are not going to vote? I don’t know if you have ever thought about it,” he said.
Man Questions Why Security Personnel Cannot Vote During Elections
Explaining his concerns, the man noted that many security personnel are deployed to different locations on election day to maintain order, control movement and protect citizens, leaving them with limited opportunities to cast their ballots.
“Imagine all these people voting. Imagine they provide the provision for them in the barrack. On that day, so many of them will be protecting life and property.
“On that day, so many of them will be out there with guns, protecting life. Are you talking about the police? Do you know how many numbers of police they are going to deploy on that day of the election?” he asked.
He also questioned whether personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other uniformed agencies are given opportunities to vote while carrying out their official duties.
Calls for Special Voting Arrangements
The man argued that the government should consider creating a special voting arrangement for security personnel, regardless of whether they are required to wear their uniforms while performing election duties.
“But don’t you think that they should have their own special day to vote? Regardless of whether with uniform or not. Don’t their votes count? I’ve been wondering, man.
“I think these people should vote. I think they should vote because their votes also count,” he added.
He further argued that security personnel are equally affected by the country’s economic and social challenges and should not be excluded from exercising their democratic rights.
“You people are looking at these people like they are not human beings. They are feeling the pain we are feeling. The military, the paramilitary are not part of what we are feeling in this country? They don’t feel it?” he said.
He also suggested that authorities should provide anonymous channels through which security operatives could express their concerns without fear of being identified.
“I wish the officials would allow them to get an anonymous message or an anonymous way to send a message. Bro, you will hear things. You will hear things. Police might not sit you down and complain to you before. You will hear things,” he said.
His comments have renewed discussion about how election authorities can balance the deployment of security personnel with their right to participate in the democratic process.