Participants at a multi-stakeholders’ conference on the 2015 elections have expressed concern about the implications of the insecurity in the country ahead of the exercise, as the United Nations has pledged to collaborate with the Federal Government to make the polls violence and fraud-free.

The conference gave the participants the opportunity to appraise the Independent National Electoral (INEC) on the management of past elections in the country, especially the 2011 general elections.

The major players in the nation’s electoral system are considering several challenges affecting the conduct of elections in Nigeria. Among the issues identified are poor voter education, constituency delimitation, lack of internal democracy within the political parties as well as the legal framework for the conduct of elections. But nothing appears more worrisome to them than the insecurity in the country.

Those who spoke at the conference expressed worry over the increasing violence in the country, saying it might have viral effects on the elections unless curbed by the government.

As part of the efforts in this direction, the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator, Dr. Daouda Toure, announced that his office was ready to collaborate with the Federal Government to mop up small arms and light weapons ahead of the general elections.

There was the consensus, however, that democratic governance is fundamental to realising critical human development goals, including security of lives and property. This, they said, leaves Nigeria with no option other than to focus on building and nurturing her democracy, especially as the nation marches towards the 2015 general elections.