Abiodun Sanusi, Abuja
The Police Service Commission has said it will deploy staff members to the 774 local government areas of the country to monitor the conduct of police officers on election duties during the 2023 general elections slated for Saturday, February 25 and March 11, 2023.
The commission noted that being a federal executive body, it has the constitutional mandate to discipline, and exercise control over officers of the Nigeria Police Force except the Inspector-General of Police, amongst other constitutional responsibilities.
The spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani revealed in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.
Ani said, “The commission says it will monitor the conduct of these officers to ensure that they operate within defined rules of engagement prescribed for officers on election duties.
“The commission believes that the success or not of the 2023 general elections largely depends on how effective and efficient the police, the lead agency in internal security is, and to maximize the benefits of inter-agency collaboration with sister security agencies.
“Guidelines on police conduct during the elections will soon be released by the commission to guide policemen who will be involved in election security.”
Ani further noted that the commission will also release dedicated telephone numbers where Nigerians will be required to call to complain or commend police officers during the elections.
He added, “Police officers found negligent or outrightly involved in official misconduct would be disciplined in line with the provisions of the law.
“Police officers are advised to restrict themselves to providing security during the elections and should not engage in serving as conductors for vote buying or other misconducts.
“The commission will continue to hold the police accountable for its conduct or misconduct during the elections as its contribution to deepening the nation’s democracy.”
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