*As PSC deploys 300 election monitors

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

ABUJA – The Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Abubakar Ringim, yesterday dismissed insinuations in the media that he ordered a ban on the use of cell phone camera during the April 2011 poll, saying democracy was all about openness, which guarantees law abiding citizens the rights to enjoy the atmosphere of freedom at all times without let or hindrance.

This came as the Police Services Commission, PSC, deployed 300 staff to monitor policemen in each of the senatorial zones in the country during the elections.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olusola Amore, said: “The IGP has not at any forum, interview or interaction with the media, ordered ban on the use of cell phone camera as reported by some publications.

“The IGP has had numerous interactions with the media in recent times in which journalists were given the opportunity to ask questions.

“At no instance was the question of the use of camera phone raised by any journalist.  One then wonders where the story or the rumours emanated from.  Any one that has any material evidence to the contrary is invited to prove themselves”.

“Despite the fact that the Police will not want to join issue with the media, the Police should not be distracted from ensuring violence free 2011 April elections”.

“The IGP wishes to inform the reading public that he has not given any directive or issued any statement relating to the use of cameras or cell phone at polling stations.

“For avoidance of doubt, democracy is all about freedom and all law abiding citizens should enjoy the atmosphere of freedom at all times without let or hindrance.”

Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission, PSC, has barely 48 hours to the commencement of April’s general election, concluded arrangements to monitor  the conduct of police officers on electoral duties.

Consequently, the commissioner in charge of strategy, Otive Igbuzo, disclosed that 300 members of the commission would be deployed nationwide to monitor the elections, with three monitors deployed to each of the senatorial zones in the country.