The Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing election security, Sylvester Alabi, has embarked on “an intensive tour” of polling units and collation centres in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.
These inspections, according to a press release by the Nigeria Police Force, are critical efforts to safeguard the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
This is as the Ondo State governorship poll nears conclusion.
During the rounds, the release noted that Alabi emphasised the importance of officers ensuring that all voting materials remain intact and accounted for, with the counting and collation of votes conducted in a fair and orderly manner.
The proactive engagement also included a firm directive for heightened vigilance, particularly at collation centres, to curtail any unauthorised movements that could jeopardise the process.
In the press release titled “Ondo Elections: DIG Elections Inspects Polling Units, Collation Centres, As Polls Wind Down,” issued Saturday afternoon by the Police spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, officers were urged to enforce strict safety protocols to prevent disruptions or irregularities.
The release further outlined the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful, credible election.
The statement reads in part:
“The DIG further charged the officers deployed for election security to ensure a constant state of vigilance, restricting any unauthorised movement of persons in and out of the collation centres. Officers are to emplace strict safety protocols to prevent any potential disruptions or irregularities that could compromise the integrity of the elections.”
In addition, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, “reassured citizens of Ondo State of the Force’s dedication to providing top-tier security, ensuring not only the sanctity of the ongoing electoral process but also the safety of the state after the polls.”
Meanwhile, the Force stated in the release that the public should cooperate with security agencies to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, thereby solidifying Ondo State’s democratic values.