INEC bans mobile phones, photo devices; says violators will be prosecuted
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Voters are not allowed to use mobile phones or any other photographic device in voting cubicles to take pictures of the party they cast their ballots for, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified.
INEC Voter Education and Publicity Committee Chairman Festus Okoye warned on Channels Television anyone caught will be prosecuted and jailed.
“No one will be allowed to take his or her phone to the voting cubicle. It is prohibited.
“Officials of the ICPC, EFCC and security agencies will be on hand to monitor and ensure that the law in that respect is not violated,” he said, via reporting by The PUNCH.
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Police deploy 425,106 personnel to ensure security
Police have deployed 425,106 officers to ensure the presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections today are free, fair, and respect for the law.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba disclosed this on Friday at a media briefing organised by the INEC at the National Collation Centre in Abuja.
He said the figure excludes members of the Armed Forces who will also be on Election Day duty.
The 425,106 personnel are drawn from the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Correctional Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
“425,106 and I have said it agency by agency,” Baba explained, per Vanguard.
“In the Police we have 310,973, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence – 51,000; Federal Road Safety Corps – 21,000; Nigerian Correctional Service – 11,336; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency – 9,447; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – 350; Nigeria Immigration Service – 21,000.
“No orderlies for VIP [Very Important Personalities] at polling booths.”
Orderlies attached to politicians will be withdrawn during the polls, he stressed, adding the police expect VIPs to drop their armed bodyguards or orderlies from escorting them to polling booths.
“Just like in any other election, we expect our VIPs to drop their bodyguards/orderlies that are armed in escorting them to the polling stations.
“Even if they escort them, they should stop or stay at a distance so that the person can cast his votes and leave with his aides.
“We do not expect our men in the polling units. We have told our officers to comply. Those of them with the VIPs have also been communicated through our medium of communication.”
