Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, yesterday appealed to state Police Command to enhance patrol of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in all local government areas of the state.

He said this was part of measures to prevent theft and willful arson by criminals.

Omorogbe, who visited the state Police Command Headquarters in Asaba with the commission’s management team, lamented the recent arson at INEC’s local government offices in neigbouring Anambra and Imo states.

In a statement issued by Acting Head, Voters Education Project, Bukola Ojeme, he, however, expressed appreciation to the police high command “For coordinating the efforts that culminated in the successful implementation of the security architecture, during the 2019 general election.

Omorogbe pledged to enhance the synergy between the Commission’s legal department and the police for effective prosecution of electoral offenses going forward.

He also informed the Commissioner of Police (CP) Hafiz Muhammed Inuwa, of the admission of EFCC and ICPC as members of ICCES, as part of measures to deepen transparency and prevent malfeasance in the electoral process.

Speaking, Inuwa pledged to enhance police patrol of the Commission’s local government offices, stressing the need for close working relationship between the police and INEC.

“I will make the telephone numbers of all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and patrol teams available to all electoral officers at the council level for ease of communication and prompt intervention in distress situations,” he said.

Inuwa further noted that the inclusion of EFCC and ICPC in the ICCES would no doubt prevent unscrupulous use of money in the electoral process.

Administrative Secretary of INEC, Ritcher Alabraba and heads of departments (HODs) accompanied the REC on the visit to the state Police Command Headquarters.