A renewed state of security alertness is in place at the Independent National Electoral Commission.



The PUNCH gathered on Wednesday that the current security measures emanated from a directive from the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.



Under the new regime, security protocol for officials and visitors has been reviewed.



There are now greater restrictions on human and vehicular movements within the premises after 4pm.



Visitors are now more subjected to rigorous checks with the use of hand held scanning devices before permission for entry is granted.



A memo circulated among officials of INEC makes it mandatory for all to wear their identification cards before allowed entry.



Security officials are under strict instructions to turn back any official who fails to comply.



The memo titled, “Enforcement of Security measures at the commission headquarters, was sighted by our correspondent.



The document reads in parts, “As part of measures to improve security at headquarters, the Honourable Chairman has directed the enforcement of the following:



“That, henceforth all staff must wear their ID cards conspicuously on their dresses for easy identification.



“No visitor/contractor should be allowed to drive private vehicles into the commission.



“As from October 15, 2010 any member of staff who fails to wear his/her ID card will be denied access into the commission.



“Only officials on grade level 12 (and above) can drive their vehicles into the premises.



“Private vehicles of (members of) staff are not allowed into the premises after 4pm.



“All visitors must be tagged and documented (before allowed entry into the premises).



“Visiting days remain Tuesday and Thursday 2-4pm



“Directors are required to submit a list of their visitors to security officials at the gate each morning.”



Only officials on the rank of directors and above are to be allowed to drive into the premises on Saturdays and Sundays.



A combined team of no fewer than 12 riot policemen and women as well plain cloth security officials now keep watch at the commissions entry point daily.



Fruit and hawkers who were hitherto a regular feature at the main entrance gate of the INEC’s headquarters had been kept at bay.


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