Ondo Guber: Nigerian Police Force is set for the election with adequate preparations- DIG
By Olusegun HOSEA.14th November, 2024.
Ahead of the gubanatoria election in Ondo State,slated for 16th November, 2024, the Nigeria Police Force is fully ready for the election with adequate preparations. Started this today in a press conference with the Pressmen at the Police Command in Akure, Ondo State,. The DIG South West, Syvelster Alabi said this briefing is to update you on our readiness as Nigerian Police Force and other state agencies for the governorship election slated for Saturday, 16 November 2024.
According the DIG, he said the command has deployed effective personnel across all the eighteen local government in preparation for the election. His words ” In line with our operational order for the election, the effective deployment of our personnel across the three central districts, 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 police units, has commenced.
While explaining, he said the Police would provide a level play ground for all the political parties during elections as part of what they intend to achieve during the election. He said “Given the importance of this gubernatorial election, the force successfully committed to achieving the following.
A. Provide level playing field or ground for all contesting candidates, irrespective of party affiliations or status. B. Ensure that all electoral campaigns and rallies are peacefully held and in accordance with the laid-down laws and regulations.
Details:
General of Police, 017 Command, AIG, as I’ve already told you. The Assistant Superintendent General of Police, Secretary of Defense 07, FCT. Abuja, who is the AIG Election in Ondo State Command. The Commissioner of Police of Odo State.
Other Commander of Police here and other heads of security agencies here are present. Gentlemen of the press, good evening.
This briefing is to update you on our readiness as Nigerian Police Force and other state agencies for the governorship election slated for Saturday, 16 November 2024.
The Nigerian Police Force is set for the election with adequate preparations and measures. In line with our operational order for the election, the effective deployment of our personnel across the three central districts, 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 police units, has commenced. Government police officers and tactical elements of the force, comprising the police mobile force, special protection units, counter-terrorism units, explosive ordinance units, and the Special Intervention Squad, are already on ground.
These units will be supported by the operatives from the force’s Criminal and Investigation Department. Four police officers and additional personnel from the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will be on duty at all the police units and voting points in the state. A compressive threat analysis of the eight area commands and 54 regional headquarters of the state was undertaken to identify flashpoints and the attendant risk posed by individuals and groups before, during, and after the election.
Given the importance of this gubernatorial election, the force successfully committed to achieving the following.
A. Provide level playing field or ground for all contesting candidates, irrespective of party affiliations or status. B. Ensure that all electoral campaigns and rallies are peacefully held and in accordance with the laid-down laws and regulations.
C. Ensure a secure environment for successful and peaceful conduct of elections throughout the state. D. Provide adequate security for election officials and materials from all take-off points to their respective destinations and vice versa. E. Maintenance of law and order at all polling units and all coalition centres.
F. Identify and appropriately curtail the activities of groups, especially militial groups, which have the potential to be used for violence during the election and after the election. G. Ensure that all participants and all citizens comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2020 as amended and other statutes of the Federation. H. Render all necessary assistance to high-ranking officials to facilitate the discharge of their responsibilities.
I. Provide adequate contingency plans to contain any crises that may directly or indirectly arise before, during, and after the conduct of the election. Collaborate with all stakeholders and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election. Our role is classified in both pre-election and post-election.
We have just completed the pre-election. During the election, we are going to provide adequate security for electoral materials at storage centres, during transportation, distribution, and escort of high-ranking officials. We are going to ensure each polling unit is provided with at least five police officers and other security personnel attached to those polling units.
We provide adequate security at ward, local government areas, and state collation centres.We will deploy adequate vehicular patrol to secure all the wards, local government areas, and state levels by enforcing restriction of movements and ward off any anticipated disruptions by hoodlums. All the nooks and crannies of the state will be patrolled to restrict movements and checkmate possible cause of mayhem.
Adequate security will be provided for all electoral officers, local and international observers, and voters to avoid any breach of law and order.We are going to provide standby units to serve as rapid response teams that will respond promptly and swiftly to any emerging threats.
In post-election, we are going to be closely monitoring all collections of results at all levels, where necessary, and properly attend to any plan to tamper with results or any fraud affecting it.
All duly signed copies of election results from the high-ranking officials will be collected. We are going to ensure that surveillance and intelligence gathering will be in place proactively to forestall any breach of the peace in response to announcement of the results. Policy arrangements is already made to contain any breach of the peace that may follow reactions to the announcement and declaration of results and winners.
All our police formations, police stations, and barracks, including other social agencies, will be protected from possible attacks or negative reactions that may follow the release of any election results. Security will be provided for members of the public at venues of the election tribunals if the need arises. Evidence will be given at election tribunals if necessary.
All electoral offenders that have been arrested will be prosecuted accordingly. Strategic plan in general management of post-election crisis has already been put in place in case there is any fallout from the election results. The following shall constitute offenses on election day.
As stipulated in Section 129 of the Electoral Act, Convincing for votes during election period is an offense. Soliciting for votes of any voter. Persuading any voter not to vote for any particular candidate.
Shouting slogans concerning a political party. Being the imposer of any offensive weapon or wearing any dress. Harming any official or other decorations which in any event is calculated to intimidate voters.
Exhibiting, wearing, or threatening any notice, symbol, photograph, or party card referring to the election is an offense. Using any vehicle bearing the color or symbol of a political party by any other means whatsoever constitutes a very serious electoral offense during the election period. Luxury without lawful excuse after voting or being refused to vote.
Snatching or destroying any election materials. Blaring, sirening, convening, holding, or attending any public meetings during the House of the Poll. Operating any megaphone or any public address system or apparatus except for making official announcements.
Wearing or carrying any badge, poster, banner, or symbol related to any political party during the election period constitutes a very serious electoral offense. I want to sincerely appreciate your coming and I wish all of you well.
