2015 Elections: Inspector General Of Police Insist On Vote And Go Home, Issues Restriction Order

There seems to be a sharp disagreement between the Police leadership and the management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the issue of voters waiting behind after casting their votes.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba for the second time in the last five days insisted that there was no need for the electorates to wait behind after casting their votes.

Rather, the IG advised as he had done last week that electorates should vote and go home to relax.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega had on the other hand said that result of the polls must be announced to the hearing of all in each of the polling units,The Nation reports.

The duo spoke in Abuja Tuesday during the INEC national stakeholders’ summit on the 2015 general elections, where Jega unveil the Commission’s process and procedures for the elections and also launch INEC official app “myINEC”.

This will be the second time in the last one week that the IG and INEC will disagree on the issue.

Jega on his part had stated that; “at the end of sorting and counting of ballot papers, the results are to be announced to the hearing of all.” This obviously contradicts the police boss stand.

The Inspector General of Police who noted that he was only advising the electorates and the politicians to stay away after they might have conducted their polls, explained that waiting behind could contravene the electoral Act, especially the one that bothers on loitering.

Mr. Abba who relied on section 129 of the electoral act which listed sone of the acts which could resulted into electoral offence.

He however assured the people that the police will be civil in its dealings with the general public.
He insisted despite the huge uproar that greeted his statement, “I advised, cast your vote and go home and relax.”

Abba who also reacted to the question raised by the All Progressive Congress (APC) representative, Senator Olorunibe Mamora, Deputy Director General General Muhammed Buhari Campaign Organization that if waiting behind to protect votes constitutes loitering, said there will be time to distinguish protection of votes and loitering.

He also added that waiting behind under the provision of lawful purpose expires immediately one finishes with the business of casting one’s vote.

He further explained that the law made provision for those who are to wait to protect the law. He added, “there are lawful people assigned to protect your vote.”

While noting that the advice also affect the candidates who are standing for elections, Abba also urged them to exercise high sense of reasoning in educating their followers on peaceful conduct during and after the elections.

On the deployment of soldiers for the elections, the police Boss noted that the military will be deployed to play the supportive role as stated in the constitution.

Though he noted that he was yet to see the High Court Judgment on the issue, he however said the military will be deployed to provide the needed cover about 300 miles from the polling units.

Jega had also used the opportunity to reassured Nigerians and stakeholders that the commission “has done its best to prepare adequately for the 2015 general elections, so as to make them better than the 2011 elections, and so as to ensure that they meet the aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair and credible elections.

“let me also reassure that INEC and all its field officials are determined to be in partial and non-partisan in the conduct of these elections. We will continue to do everything humanly possible to ensure a level playing field for all parties and candidates. And we call on all stakeholders, especially voters, candidates and their supporters, to contribute positively to ensuring that the elections are fraud-free, peaceful, as well as free, fair and credible.

“it is also significant to note, that INEC has put plans in place to improve the transparency and credibility of the process of collation of results.”

He also added that “hard copies of result sheets from polling units would be scanned, converted to PDF format and put in database, which would be made accessible for viewing and downloading via the INEC website. Every voter or stakeholder will, hence be able to confirm the accuracy of results from the PUs, which have been conveyed to the collation centres.

Explaining the process, Jega noted that three ballot boxes will be used in each polling unit/voting point.

The box with red cover/lid will be used for presidential election; box with black cover/lid will be used for the senatorial election, while box with green cover/lid will be used for the House of Representatives election.

INEC boss, who also insisted on the use of the card readers in this Saturday election, said the commission was satisfied 100 per cent on the security and accuracy of the technology, especially as it has proven to be very reliable.

However,the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba has issued an order on the restriction of movement ahead of the presidential election slated for March 28 and has appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with the police.

In a statement issued by Emmanuel Ojukwu, Force Public Relations Officer, Abuja, he said: “As part of efforts to ensure adequate security in the forthcoming general elections across all the Federation on Saturday 28 March, 2015 and 11 April, 2015, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movements as follows: Saturday 28th March, 2015, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. only and Saturday 11 April, 2015 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. only.

He noted that: “this total restriction of movements order applies to all, except for Ambulances, Fire service trucks and others on essential duties.

“Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to use roads on these days and hours are advised to plan alternative times for their travelling,” the statement said.

While expressing his regrets over the inconveniences that road users and the general public may encounter as a result of this restriction, the IGP “appeals for the understanding and cooperation of the entire citizenry, as the restriction is done in the nation’s interest.”


“The IGP assures that adequate security logistics and manpower have been strategically deployed to achieve a most conducive electioneering atmosphere. In this regard, policemen for election duty have been properly trained, briefed and sensitized on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act.”

“They are expected to be professional, non-partisan, civil but firm in their approach and relation to the public.”

He enjoined citizens to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to appropriate police authority.