..Police deploy 3 surveillance helicopters

THE Independent National Electoral Commission has assured all the parties that it would conduct a free, fair and credible poll.

INEC national chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu at the forum disclosed that 8,683 staff have already been recruited and trained as supervisory, presiding and assistant presiding officers to take charge of 1,939 polling units across the state.

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His words, “We have made tremendous progress in our electoral administration, and this INEC is committed to improving on the success of immediate predecessors. Our commitment to the people of Bayelsa State is to deliver a peaceful election in line with the Commission mission statement of ‘providing credible electoral services consistent with the principles of equity, justice and fairplay.’

“All our plans and preparations have been geared towards this outcome. And let me say that nobody can determine who becomes the next governor of Bayelsa, not even the commission but only the people of Bayelsa State. For the election on Saturday, INEC is deploying other technological innovations, which will guarantee the integrity of the process and the outcome.”

Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, pledged the commitment of the Nigerian Police towards enforcing provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and other relevant extant laws to provide a level playing field for all the stakeholders to ensure peace and stability before, during and after the election.

He said aside the massive security presence that would be experienced in the state three helicopters would be deployed in the state for exercise.

“Police human and material assets will be drawn from 10 state commands to complement the existing assets in Bayelsa State. The marine units of the force will be maximally deployed along the waterways and creeks, while an aerial surveillance will be undertaken with not less than 3 police helicopters,” he said.