By Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja
The Police will not allow anyone at polling stations after voting in the April polls but may “stay at a reasonable distance from the voting centre.”

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim said yesterday that this was part of the effort to keep the peace during the election.

Mr. Ringim, at a meeting with DIGs, AIGs and Police Commissioners said: “First of all, I want to assure all Nigerians that every vote will count. We will not allow you to vote, stay around and cause problems”.

“However, any one that votes and wants to ensure that the votes are not tampered with, is allowed to stay at a reasonable distance from the voting centre, so that he or she does not constitute a threat. We will not allow you to vote, stay around the polling station and cause problems”.

“In the build up to the elections, we have faced major security situations with events that posed serious threats to national security. We have done our best in those situations and we hope to do our best in the proper election exercise.

I must however warn against partisanship by any police/security personnel in the course of prosecuting the election. The force will not tolerate any act of unpatriotism on the part of anyone”

“Police officers attached to government functionaries, state chief executives, federal ministers and members of the national assembly as well as security details must maintain the briefs of their postings. Escort duties on election days must be scaled down and restricted accordingly”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, with the exception of Mr. President, Governors/Deputy Governors, Senate President/Deputy Senate President, Speaker/Deputy Speaker, whose ADCs’ will be duly directed on their expected conduct during elections, all other government functionaries; ministers, members of the national assembly, etc, will be accompanied by only one police security to cast their votes after which they will return to their homes”.

“On no account should anyone irrespective of their status, be allowed to parade about with police or any other form of security at polling booths or other electoral centre’s. Policemen or personnel of other security agencies found on such escort duty should be promptly arrested. Similarly, movements be politicians accompanied by retinue of political aides or thugs are equally prohibited and should not be allowed around polling venues”.

“Command Commissioners of Police should therefore ensure that all VIP’s security personnel within their states adhere to these directives. Squadron Commanders should be directed to take note of this as well”.

Emphasizing that the senior officers have the full support of the Police administration and that of the federal government in the onerous responsibility, the IG told them, “Entertain no interference, be professional, be strong, be fair but please be firm.

Employ the full weight of your authority under the electoral act and all other subsisting laws in executing this election as we must get it right this time”.