INSPECTOR General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, yesterday disclosed that no fewer than 240,000 policemen and women would be deployed for next month’s general elections.
Ringim, who disclosed this at a meeting with the political parties taking part in the elections, also cautioned his men against partisanship, stressing that any policeman linked with the act would be made to face the law.
He said each of the 120,000 polling units would have at least two policemen.
Addressing political party chieftains at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP said: This meeting has been called not only to appraise how far we have gone but to look forward to what we hope to happen and what to guard against in order to have the most successful, free and fair general elections. We have done the best that we can do under the circumstances and we need the cooperation of each and everyone of you, political parties as well as members of the press. .
“The need to have a free and fair election can not be over-emphasised. The whole world is watching us. Africa and the sub-region are watching us. Only last week, we received members of a delegation led by the former Ghanaian president. Only last week also, we received members of the European Union. So many observer groups have been here to see and find out the state of readiness of the police.’’
However, major political parties including the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Action Congress of Nigeria and the All Nigeria Peoples Party did not attend the police meeting.
Also, as part of its on-going consultations with stakeholders in the electoral process preparatory to next month’s general elections, the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday in Abuja held a one-day retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Administrative Secretaries in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The meeting was a follow up to a similar one held for Electoral Officers from across the federation earlier in the week with INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, charging them to clean up the battered image of the commission by conducting free and fair general elections.
In a related development, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Taiwo Lakanu, yesterday pledged that the Police would ensure free and fair polls in April.
Speaking at a lecture in Lagos entitled: “Electoral Act 2010, electoral offences and roles of the Police, for officers and men of zone 2, Lakanu stressed that “the police are determined to ensure the safety of every voter and that votes cast are protected.”
He added: “We are determined to ensure the safety of electoral officers before, during and after the elections, providing security for candidates during campaigns and election, ensuring free, fair, safe and lawful atmosphere for campaign by all parties and candidates without discrimination.
“We will also maintain law and order around the polling and counting centres and ensure security for voting materials so that they are not stolen, hijacked, destroyed or fraudulently altered by any person.”
IG's plan for the election is right. Every polling station must have minimum of two police officers to keep order. Thank you IQ.
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