By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Ahead of the 2023 poll, the commissioner of police in Bauchi, Umar Mamman Sanda has appealed to political leaders and candidates seeking election to eschew any form of violence during electioneering campaigns and other electoral processes.
The police commissioner at an interactive session with leaders of political parties in Bauchi on Tuesday, warned that henceforth anyone found wanting directly or indirectly connected with such acts would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He said, “It is imperative to reiterate our uncompromising stance that any form of electoral disorderliness, violent behaviours, disruption of campaign rallies, display of a dangerous weapon, or any object during campaign procession or other electoral processes will not be condoned”.
Commissioner Umar Sanda drew the attention of politicians to take into cognizance that pre-election activities form a critical step in the electoral process that will pave way for free, fair and credible elections.
He told the politicians that applications for campaigns/rallies by political parties should be submitted to the police command for approval forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled date and the permission will be communicated twenty-four (24) hours before the event to avoid collusion of venues and times.
Sanda reiterated the commitment of the police force in providing security and order within a political system which is conducive enough to guarantee a hitch-free and threat-free campaign processes to people and the entire electoral processes before, during and after the conduct of the 2023 general election in Bauchi state.
“As a leading agency in election-security, charged with the responsibility of enforcing laws and the maintenance of order before, during and after the election. We shall be firm, stern and decisive with all forms of breaches that may mar this process”, Sanda added
“The serenity of electioneering processes is only possible when we, particularly all the stakeholders and key players, put all hands-on deck. As we do recognize the vital roles of all critical stakeholders as integral partners in realizing peaceful conduct of the 2023 General Election in the state”.
According to him, the use of quasi-security outfits created by state or local communities under whatever name or guise is not allowed to participate during the electioneering campaigns and other electoral processes as they have no role in the Electoral Act.
He also warned against removing or defacing your opponent’s posters/leaflets be it interparty or intraparty, saying politicians and their cohorts should desist from posting political banners/posters of whatever kind at any public buildings such as Government Institutions, Schools, hospitals, INEC offices and Worship centres.
Sanda explained that doing such acts tantamount to an Electoral offence as enshrined in section 92 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to achieve a hitch-free electioneering campaign in Bauchi state.
