Olusegun Ariyo
The Police Service Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu, has charged PSC staff who will be monitoring the Ondo State gubernatorial elections on Saturday to conduct themselves within the ambit of the rule of law.
Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, in a statement noted that the staff monitors are in Ondo State to ensure that the police conduct themselves within approved rules and regulations and in line with established rules of engagement.
It said the Commission monitors are expected to be in all the local government areas in the state, adding that the Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu, “charged PSC Ambassadors to also conduct themselves creditably and not succumb to pressure or dilute the essence of the assignment.”
He said the Commission will continue to contribute to the sustenance and deepening of the nation’s democratic process.
The PSC Chairman said holding the police accountable for its actions and inactions during the election will promote greater dedication to duty by the officers and generally ensure the success of the elections.
He charged the officers to be firm but friendly and polite to the electorate, stressing that they must ensure that the voters, the voting materials, and the voting environment are protected and safe.
He said the police, as the lead agency in internal security, which includes election security, must play a leadership role in ensuring a free, fair, and credible election in Ondo State.
It would be recalled that the Commission, on Monday, November 11, 2024, conducted a workshop on election security monitoring at its Parry Osayande Auditorium, where CP Balarabe Nayaya (rtd), the Technical Assistant to the Chairman, presented a paper to the traveling monitors.
CP Nayaya said the monitors must be knowledgeable about the operations of police officers on electoral duties to be able to meaningfully monitor their conduct.
