The National Security Coordinator (NSCoord), Abdulai Caulker, has assured all political parties ahead of the June 24th, 2023 elections of a level playing field in the security sector, noting that social media is the biggest threat to the sector.
He made this statement during a stakeholders’ dialogue conference on elections preparedness at the Brook Fields Hotel in Freetown.
The NSCoord gave an update on the Integrated Elections Security Planning Committee (IESPC), which has since been activated, disclosing they have conducted National Elections Threats Assessment and District Risk Mapping as well as developed three key elections security documents which are currently being rolled out.
He added that the National Situation Room which runs on a 24/7 basis and a Toll-Free Line (119), and an IESPC Secretariat, Incident Command Centres, and Forward Control Points have also been fully activated to support the electoral processes.
He underscored that to enhance the synergy within security sector agencies, a couple of weeks ago, the NSCoord led a cross-section of the National Security Council Coordinating Group (NSCCG) into joint meetings with the decentralized security structures at the provincial level.
About other efforts aimed at building confidence in Security Sector service delivery, the NSCoord confirmed that engagements had been held between the Sector and political parties.
Caulker maintained that an immediate security threat confronting the Security Sector is the misuse of social media and toxic incitements made by politicians.
To diffuse these threats, he said a Security Sector Communication Strategy has also been developed to dismiss deceptive rumors.
Despite these developments, the NSCoord emphasized that the Security Sector is adequately prepared to provide the requisite security for the upcoming general elections.
He strongly cautioned the general public and politicians to refrain from violence and making provocative statements.