Staff monitors of the Police Service Commission (PSC) have arrived Ondo State to observe the conduct of police officers on electoral duties during governorship election holding on Saturday, November 16.
This was made known in a statement by the PSC Head, Public and Media Relations, Ikechukwu Ani.
The statement said that the staff monitors went to Ondo to ensure that police personnel conduct themselves within approved rules and regulations and in line with established rules of engagement.
The monitoring staff are expected to be in all the local government areas in the state.
The PSC chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), has thereby charged PSC staff to also conduct themselves creditably and not succumb to pressure and dilute the essence of the assignment.
He said the Commission would continue to contribute to the sustenance and deepening of the nation’s democratic process.
The PSC Chairman said that holding the police accountable for its actions and inactions during the election would 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 that 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.
The Commission had on Monday, November 11, 2024 conducted a workshop on election security monitoring at its Parry Osayande Auditorium where the Technical Assistant to the Chairman, CP Balarabe Nayaya (rtd), presented a paper to the travelling staff monitors.
Cp Nayaya said that they must be knowledgeable on the operations of policemen on electoral duties, to be able to meaningfully monitor their conduct.
He presented a brief on what the policemen on election duties should do and not do, advising that the monitors should be guided by the brief while on the assignment.
Meanwhile, the PSC has provided dedicated telephone numbers for Nigerians to call to complain or commend the conduct of the police during the election.
The numbers are;
Ondo central -08033148814
Ondo South -08065265651
Ondo North -07046756445
Media Coordination -08033345362
