Abubakar, Jega give assurance of free, fair poll in Anambra

In continuation of his earlier efforts at ensuring a successful, free, fair and credible gubernatorial election in Anambra State on November 16, 2013, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday paid a working visit to Awka, the Anambra State capital, where he addressed police personnel serving and deployed to Anambra State for the election.
Abubakar warned them to be firm, meticulous and ensure that nothing untoward happens within their areas of jurisdiction.
He further cautioned the officers to shun any conduct capable of bringing stain to the image of the Force.
The IGP also deployed three Commissioners of Police, namely CPs Usman Akila Gwarry, Isaac Chinonyerem Eke and Abdulmajid Ali, ahead of the election to supervise security arrangements within the three Senatorial Zones – Anambra Central, Anambra South and Anambra North.
In a related development, Mohammed, along with the Chairman of the Independent National electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, during the strategic stakeholders’ forum, which took place at the Women Development Centre, Awka, addressed politicians as well as other relevant stakeholders involved in the Anambra State election, urging them to play by the rules of the game.
The meeting also had in attendance the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, party chieftains, gubernatorial candidates and the electorate.
Jega said the November 16 gubernatorial election in Anambra State would be an improvement to past elections.
Jega said the past mistakes encountered in some polling units in the state had been addressed.
He decried the criticism on the relocation of polling units, noting that they were moved from farmland in Oyi Local Government Area to Nteje, where there was presence of people.
He said: “We would continue to improve on this process in the country until a desirable standard is achieved.
“We have conducted fair and free elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra will not only be different, but better.
“It is our prayer that Anambra people will live up to their responsibility by supporting INEC and assist in achieving a desired goals for the electoral process,” he said.
The chairman said the 4,608 polling units and 326 wards in the state would be manned adequately by security operatives.
Jega said commissioners of police would head the security team in the three senatorial zones, while security at wards and polling units would be beefed up to forestall any security breach.
He said the 23 governorship candidates would be given level playing ground to exercise their civic responsibilities and no candidate would be allowed police ordeal on Election Day.
He added: “Nobody, not even government functionaries and party agents, would be allowed to move from one polling unit to another, either for monitoring or other check.
“It is only those accredited by the commission alone that would be allowed to move round.
“Please, if you do not have business working for the success of the election, do not violate the directives as INEC will not tolerate any insurgent.
“INEC would not allow anything that could pose danger to electorate, therefore, please drop your walking stick, umbrella or machete at home while coming to vote.”
Jega said accreditation of voters would commence by 8am and end by noon, while the accredited voters would be announced publicly and recorded immediately.
Jega said voting would commence at exactly 12.30pm after every check had been completed in a secret ballot box placed in the open.
The INEC chairman urged voters to shun voting more than once and that selling of voters’ card would not be allowed.
He said that INEC would adhere strictly with its one-man-one vote policy during the election.