OSUN ELECTION: INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE RELEASES TELEPHONE LINES TO REPORT VOTE BUYERS
‘As part of additional measures to guarantee a peaceful and credible election, the IGP will on 17th September, 2018 attend a stakeholders and peace accord meeting with INEC Chairman and the Forty-Eight (48) political parties participating in the election and their flag bearers, INEC officials, election observers and other accredited stakeholders will also be in attendance in Osogbo, Osun State.
The statement said,further that Police officers and personnel of other security and safety agencies deployed for the elections are under strict instructions to be strict, polite and civil but firm in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities.
‘They are to provide adequate security for the electorates, INEC Officials, movement of election materials, the accredited election observers/Monitors and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles in the conduct of the election, at the Polling units, Collation Centres and INEC Offices throughout the State before, during and after the election’.
The statement also warned all political parties and their flag bearers to prevail on their agents, members and supporters not to engage in buying and selling of votes which is in violation of the electoral act.
‘The Police personnel and that of other security agencies have been trained and briefed not to abdicate their duty, hesitate or contemplate the immediate arrest, detention and hand over to the Police joint team specially setup by the IGP to tackle and deal decisively in accordance with the law anybody or group, agents of political parties or their sponsor(s) who engages or attempt vote buying and selling during the election, inclusive the buyers and the sellers will not be spared’.
The statement also explained that special security identification tags will be worn by all security personnel deployed for the election,stressing that no personnel of any security agency will be allowed to move to any other location other than where they are deployed throughout the election period.
‘Security personnel attached to public office holders and politicians, and other VIPs will not be allowed to follow their principals to the polling units or collation centres throughout the election. Consequently, Security personnel are warned to desist from escorting their Principals and Politicians to polling units and collation centres during the election. Any deviant security detail will be apprehended and dealt with accordingly’.
The statement said vehicular movement will be commence from 12-midnight of Friday, September 21, 2018 till the end of the election and will be strict and total throughout the State.
‘Travellers and other road users are advised to make use of alternative routes. The Highway and major roads from Ibadan, Oyo State to Akure in Ondo State will be closed from 12 Midnight on Friday 21st September, 2018 till the end of the election’.
‘Travellers, commuters and other road users can use Lagos – Ore – Benin Highway and Lagos – Ibadan – Ilorin Highway as alternative routes. However, those on essential duties on genuine proven course will be granted passage only’.
‘All the Forty-Eight (48) participating Political parties participating in the election and their leaderships and supporters, Traditional rulers, Community leaders, parents and Guardians are advised to seriously warn their members, supporters, subjects, children and wards to be law abiding and not allowed themselves to be used to cause disturbance of the peace or disruption of the election/electoral process anywhere in the State.
The statement declared that, the full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group of persons found violating the electoral act or indulging in any criminal conduct capable of causing violence before, during and after the election.
‘Threat assessments have been carried out by the Police in Osun State and all identified flash points and challenges observed have been addressed.
‘However, the Force will not hesitate to deal decisively in accordance with the electoral act and other enabling laws with any individual(s) or group(s), no matter how highly placed, whose utterances or conduct is contrary to the electoral act or that can incite disturbance of public peace, law and order before, during or after the election’.
‘The electorates and the general public in Osun State who observe any untoward incident or crime can reach the Joint Security Operation Room for the election through the following phone numbers: (i) 08037025670 (ii) 08037160989 (iii) 08033415589 (iv) 08123823981 (v) 08039537995 (vi) 08075872433
The Inspector General of Police assured the electorates, the contestants and all law abiding citizens in the State of adequate security throughout the election and enjoins them to go out and cast their votes without any fear or apprehension.
‘They are also implored to cooperate with Police personnel and that of other Security Agencies in the discharge of their duties’.
