Bayelsa Election: Police Commission Reads Riot Act to Police

By Eric Ojo, Abuja
Police Service Commission (PSC) has warned that it will not hesitate to discipline any Police Officer caught circumventing the rules before, during or after the Bayelsa Gubernatorial election.

The Commission also warned politicians and voters to conduct themselves in orderly manner, adding that they should refrain from enticing the policemen on electoral duties so that they are not compromised.

The PSC equally advised all Police Officers on electoral duty in Bayelsa State to observe the rules and regulations guiding their conduct and also work within the ambit of the rule of law.

The Officers, according to a statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the Commission, are advised to be fair but firm and ensure that all eligible voters are allowed to discharge their civic responsibilities without molestation.

The statement added that the directive and guidance of the police on the role in the conduct of elections is the Commission’s constitutional mandate of holding the Police accountable for its actions or inactions.

“It is also part of the Commission’s contribution to the sustenance of the nation’s fledgling democracy since the integrity of the electoral process cannot be fully achieved if the security personnel, more especially the Police fail to discharge their constitutional responsibilities”, the statement said.

It further noted that the commission will continue to play its role in the advancement of the nation’s democracy and the enthronement of the will of the people during elections.

Meanwhile, a 19-man team of Monitors from the Police Service Commission led by Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Yakubu Muhammad, a Commissioner in the Commission, will tomorrow, Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 leave for Bayelsa State to monitor the conduct of Police Officers on electoral duties during the governorship elections holding in the State on Saturday, December 5th, 2015.

The statement added that the Commission will also be sending Monitors for the supplementary elections in Kogi State following the declaration of the earlier election inconclusive.

It had monitored the November 21st governorship election in the State where it observed that the Policemen on electoral duties conducted themselves creditably with no complaints of neglect of duty or complicity in electoral offences.