Police warn fake observers to steer clear of Borno polls

The Borno State Police Command has uncovered plans by fake election observers to beat security personnel to perpetrate electoral frauds at today’s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

Command spokesman, Edet Okon, in a statement in Maiduguri, yesterday, said; “The Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu, warns that any person or group of persons who impersonate election observers, electoral officials, security agents or any other officials connected with the elections, knowing well that he/she has not been so accredited/employed by INEC or the various security agencies, as the case may be, will be arrested and prosecuted,” in line with the electoral and other extant laws.

“There will be restriction of vehicular movement from 10.30pm on the eve of the election till 6pm on Saturday (today). For the avoidance of doubt, the movement restriction will affect all motor vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, bicycles, camels, horses, donkeys and cattle. It will, however, exclude those on essential duties, who, as a matter of necessity, must display their valid identity cards.”

On procedures of voting at polls, he explained: “Eligible voters are advised to proceed in a peaceful manner to their various polling units. They should also conduct themselves in an orderly manner throughout the duration of the exercise.”

He warned against unnecessary loitering and movements that could cause breach of public peace at the 3,933 polling centres across the state, assuring that security deployments were to safeguard all law abiding citizens to exercise their franchise without fear, apprehension, intimidation or violence.

The Police chief said the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, had set up a joint operations centre, where complaints arising from the conduct of the elections would be treated with dispatch.