As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, prepares for the March 23, supplementary elections, the Benue State Police Command has pledged to provide water-right security for a peaceful conduct of the elections in the State.
The Commissioner of Police in-charge of elections in Benue, CP Umar Muri gave the assurance while briefing newsmen on Thursday at the Command’s headquarters in Makurdi.
Muri did not disclose the number of personnel deployed for the Saturday rerun but he expressed confidence that they were enough to provide the needed security in the state. He said the deployment covers all polling units, collation centres and INEC offices in the state.
According to him, all flash points within the state are fortified with sufficient patrol teams to protect electorates, electoral materials and INEC Staff.
The CP warned intending violators of the electoral process to steer clear or face the consequences even as he called on parents, traditional and religious leaders to caution their children and subjects against being used to disrupt the electoral process.
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While calling on the electorates to come out and vote without fear of harassment or intimidation, he further pledged that “the police will continue to remain apolitical throughout the electoral process.”
He also warned political actors against breaching the guidelines of the elections saying “there shall be no compromise during the process. Laws regulate all aspects of our lives and the electoral process is no exception.”
The Police Commissioner called on Benue people to be law abiding and cooperate with security personnel deployed to ensure a hitch free electoral process.
