Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Borno State Police Command has uncovered plans of fake election observers to beat police and security personnel perpetrate electoral frauds at the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections. According to the Command, the posing of election observers, are inimical to peaceful conduct of elections in the state. Spokesman of police, Edet Okon, in a statement released Thursday in Maiduguri, said: “To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu warns that any person or group of persons who impersonate Election Observers, Electoral Officials, Security Agents or any other official connected with the elections (knowing well that he/she has not been so accredited/employed by INEC or the various Security Agencies, as the case may be) will be arrested and prosecuted. He said that the prosecution is in line with the electoral act and other extant laws. According to him; “There will be restriction of vehicular movement from 10.30pm on the eve of the election till 6pm on Saturday. “For the avoidance of doubt, the movement restriction will affect all motor vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, bicycles, camels, horses, donkeys and cattle. It will however exclude those on essential duties who, as a matter of necessity must display their valid Identity cards. On procedures of voting at polls, he explained: “Eligible voters are therefore advised to proceed in a peaceful manner to their various polling units. “They should also conduct themselves in an orderly manner throughout the duration of the exercise,” advising that the electorates are to limit their numbers to polling units. He warned against unnecessary loitering and movements that could cause breach of public peace at 3,933 polling centres. He assured the people that security deployments are to safeguard all law abiding citizens to exercise their franchise without fear, apprehension, intimidation or violence. Chukwu said that the police command in collaboration with other security agencies has set up a Joint Operations Centre (JOIC). According to him, the centre is where complaints arising from the conduct of the elections would be treated with dispatch. End. He said members of the public could reach the centre on the following contacts: 08068969292, 08035924493, 08038791313, 08024762021, 08173015010, and 08098134694. He said that electoral complaints and malpractice could also be directed to the Command’s Control Room and CRU nos – 09053872280, 09053872240 and 08068075581.
