Officers of the Nigerian Police Force, Abia state command,have been charged on the conduct to put up during the forth coming elections.
Addressing the officers during a sensitization exercise at the Police Officers Mess, Umuahia, the Commissioner of Police Service Commission,South East Zone, Dr Nkemka Offor, said officers on electoral duties should ensure that peaceful conditions are maintained at the polling and collation centres and making sure that citizen’s exercise of their franchise is done without fear of coercion, manipulation or violence
Dr Offor said officers should exercise high level of professionalism as the public,observers as well as election monitors form opinions about the police on the basis of their action, appearance and comportment.
The Commissioner also stressed the need for officers to be fair to all parties and electorates and to avoid any conduct that could be interpreted as high-handedness, unfair or politically motivated.
He,however, urged the officers to be approachable and accessible to voters who might need their assistance, adding that they should avoid the use of force or any action that could undermine a voter’s right.
While advising them to be at alert so as to report any event of threat or break down of law and order during election, the Commissioner stated the need for police officers to co-operate and collaborate with other role players in the electoral process in order to conduct a free and fair election.
Earlier in his remarks, the Abia state Commissioner of Police, CP Chris Ezike, charged the officers to exercise their duties with carefulness as any negative action could be recorded, adding that they should not take any decision without first communicating with their superior.
CP Ezike further enjoined the officers to work interdem with other security agencies,describing them as partners in progress.
