By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Police Service Commission has concluded arrangements to deploy Staff monitors for the forthcoming November 11 Governorship elections in the three states of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa.
The Commission said that the monitoring of police conduct during elections is the Commission’s contribution to the sustenance of credible and lasting democracy in Nigeria.
Spokesperson of the Commission, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement, said, the Staff Monitors are expected to be deployed to all the Senatorial districts in the three states and have been mandated to monitor strictly the conduct of policemen on election duties in the three states.
The Commission, he said, will hold these police officers accountable for their actions and inactions throughout the election and will not hesitate to discipline appropriately any officer found wanting in the discharge of his/her election duties.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, said, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, deserves commendation for the material support he has made available for proper policing of both the electorates and election materials.
Dr Arase said the provision of essential security architecture by the Inspector General of Police should serve as enough motivation for the police to ensure free and fair elections.
He demanded that the officers should reciprocate the support from the IGP and conduct themselves creditably before during and after the elections.
The PSC Chairman said the Officers on election duties like Ceaser’s wife must be above reproach adding that they must conduct themselves in line with established laws and guidelines on election duty.
He noted that the success or failure of the election largely depends on the actions and inactions of the officers and warned that misconduct during the elections must attack commensurate consequences.
The PSC Chairman prayed for God’s travel mercy to all Staff Monitors who are travelling for this national assignment.
Mr. Ani concluded that the success or not of the elections has a lot to do with the performance of Policemen on election duties especially as the government lead Agency in internal security.
