A high powered team of monitors from the Police Service Commission are already on ground in Lokoja, Kogi State to monitor the conduct of policemen on electoral duties during the governorship election holding in the state on Saturday.
A statement on Friday said the deployment of the monitors was in the exercise of the Commission’s constitutional mandate of holding the police accountable for its actions or inactions.
The statement said 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 by the Commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, added: “The Commission wishes to advise all Police Officers on electoral duty in Kogi State to observe the rules and regulations guiding their conduct and also work within the ambit of the rule of law. The Officers are advised to be fair but firm and ensure that all eligible voters are allowed to discharge their civic responsibilities without molestation.
“The Commission also wishes to warn that it will not hesitate to commence disciplinary action against any Police Officer caught circumventing the rules before, during or after the elections.”
The Commission promised to continue to play its role in the advancement of the nation’s constitutional democracy and the enthronement of the will of the people during elections.
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