Security is being tightened across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with police warning that anyone involved in violence, voter intimidation or ballot snatching will be arrested and prosecuted.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General Ishyaku Mohammed to coordinate Police operations for the election.
The August 15 election will take place under a major security operation covering polling units, collation centres and the movement of electoral materials across the state.
DIG Ishyaku Mohammed will coordinate the police operation, working with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police are being deployed across Osun’s three senatorial districts, with officers assigned to protect voters, INEC personnel, election materials, accredited observers and journalists.
The IGP Disu has warned political parties and their supporters against voter intimidation, ballot snatching and political thuggery, saying offenders will face arrest and prosecution.
Armed escorts and security aides will also be barred from accompanying politicians and other VIPs to polling units or collation centres.
State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations will not be permitted to take part in election-security duties.
Police say officers deployed for the election have been directed to remain neutral, respect human rights and allow voters to cast their ballots without fear.
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(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
