By: Ese Paul, Benin City
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Mohammed Adamu Abubakar yesterday announced the deployment of 31, 000 policemen for effective protection of personnel, assets of INEC, electorate and residents of Edo people during and immediately after the poll.
He said the police are not unconscious of pockets of violence which characterize campaigns in the political landscape of Edo state and we are equally not resting on our oars to ensuring security of lives and property of the citizens before during and after the election.
The IGP emphasized the avowed commitment of security agencies to a free, fair, credible and successful election even as he assured the personnel of the force, shall remain impartial, firm and professional in exercise of their statutory duties as provided for in the Electoral Act and other enabling laws.”
He said the operatives are determined to visit trouble makers with stiffer measures, promising to put on best professional practice and to work in collaboration with other security agencies towards ensuring violent free, orderliness and credible poll.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has assured that the commission would not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.
He said, “Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the choice of who becomes the next governor of Edo state is entirely in the hands of the voters.”
He reassured the electorate, the participating political parties and their candidates that their votes would count, stressing that the only choice made by the people of Edo state would determine the outcome of the election.
Prof. Mahmood disclosed the resolve of the electoral body to deploy the use of its portals in accreditation of election observers and the media as part of measures to deepen the use of technology in the conduct of elections.
“We have delivered all non-sensitive materials for the election. Voter education and sensitisation is ongoing. We have made arrangements for the movement of personnel and materials to all polling units on Election Day. The Commission has taken every step and made every arrangement for the election holding this weekend,” he added
