The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified crisis-prone areas that security agencies must place on red alert ahead of the 2019 general elections.

According to a LEADERSHIP report, the flashpoints were identified in the six geo-political zones by a committee set up by INEC’s Electoral Institute. It was learnt that the committee, which was set up and deployed to the six geo-political zones of the country, carried out a research on flashpoints that are likely to affect the smooth conduct and movement of election materials.

The committee was also mandated to conduct a research on the perception of the commission. A source told newsmen Friday that the reports on the flashpoints have been made available to the security agencies.

The press secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, could not confirm whether the committee has submitted the report or not. Oyekanmi said the commission recorded a milestone in 2018 by getting vehicle tracking devices that monitor the movements of vehicles conveying sensitive materials from the distribution points.

He said materials would be picked from the Central Bank of Nigeria to the various local government areas for the elections.

“Stakeholders applauded this innovation during the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections,” Oyekanmi said, adding that the innovation will assist greatly in the 2019 general elections.

He continued: “I guess we have done all that we need to do to ensure that we have very successful general elections in February 2019. We need to love one another. We have no other country except Nigeria and we should not allow anybody to divide us using religious or ethnic sentiments.

“We all need to participate in the forthcoming general elections. Those who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card should endeavour to do so. Don’t sell your vote. Cast your vote for the political party and candidate of your choice according to your conscience”.

•Excerpted from a Leadership report

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