Your Duty is to Observe, Not Interfere, Police Tell Election Observers

The Nigerian Police have cautioned accredited election observers on the limit of their duties in the forthcoming elections, noting that they are only expected to observe and not to interfere in the process.

Speaking in Jos, Plateau State, at a briefing of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and accredited observers on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede, said: "It is the duty of the police to protect and secure electoral officials, materials and voters during election. Although the police are the lead security agency on issues of internal security, other security and law enforcement agencies have been called in to assist in the conduct of election because of the man power demand.

"The police shall deploy their personnel early for them to get acclimatised with their new environment and terrain for effective performance."

On the role of Observers, the CP said: "Observers are to observe only, and not to advise or interview voters, INEC officials or the security personnel on the day of election."

While calling on all citizens to cooperate with the police during election, Akinmoyede assured them that there would be a seamless and symbiotic relationship between the police and the INEC on the day of election.

On the issue of hate speech, he appealed to politicians and their followers to guide against inflammatory utterances, adding that "the police do not need instruction from INEC official to arrest offenders who commit crime in his presence."

He warned that under-aged voters should steer clear of the polling centres on voting days, appealing to parents/guardians to educate their children and wards.