The Inspector-General of Police (IG) Usman Baba, said 21,000 policemen have been deployed for the election.
He also banned the sale of alcohol, dancing and drumming around polling units. The IG spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Atlantis Civic Center, Osogbo. He warned that the police will not tolerate any act of violence during the exercises.
He said: “We shall be deploying 21,000 police personnel for the polls. All three senatorial districts, 332 wards and polling units have been appropriately mapped out and put for the deployment of adequate personnel who will be on the ground to maintain peace and order before, during and after the election.”
Usman maintained that the police will be deployed to protect INEC facilities and its personnel, noting that the deployment is not to intimidate anybody, but to ensure peaceful process of election and curb violence tendencies.
“This deployment is not meant to intimidate any law-abiding citizens rather it is to deter misguided elements that may threaten the election and violate the electoral act. It also serves as a strong warning that government is determined to protect the citizens,” he added.
On alcohol and others, Usman said: “We will not allow any person or group of persons, no matter how highly and lowly placed in the society, to derail the electoral process.
“I enjoin the political, opinion, and community leaders to provide the moral leadership that will motivate citizens to conduct themselves according to electoral law and the constitution of Nigeria.
“You are all to be guided by the following during the election -no one is allowed to wear any cloth, emblem or colour that signifies any political parties at the polling units.
“No person is allowed to move around with security details around the polling units. Indeed, the appropriate directive has been given for the withdrawal of details around politically exposed persons. Everyone is enjoined to vote and return to their respective houses within approved perimeters of the polling centres. No one is allowed to move about from one polling unit to another as there will be restrictions on movement on the day of the election.
“Only INEC accredited election monitors, observers are permitted to move around, and they must all wear their INEC accreditation tags. Only accredited journalists are allowed to cover the election.”
Usman added: “Vote-buying or any form of inducement is not allowed and remain very serious offences. Praise singing, dancing, drumming are not allowed around the polling units.
“Selling of alcoholic beverages around the polling section, booth, or collation centres is totally banned. Anybody who causes violence around polling units or threatens public peace in any manner before, during and after an election shall be apprehended and dealt with according to law.”