National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the deployment of staff to monitor the conduct of police officers on election duty.
This move aims to ensure that law enforcement personnel adhere strictly to the rules of engagement during the elections.
In a statement released on Thursday, the PSC’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, revealed that staff monitors have arrived in Ondo State and will be stationed across various local government areas to oversee police operations during the election.
The Commission’s Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, urged officers to maintain discipline and uphold the integrity of the election process. He emphasized that the presence of monitors is part of the Commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
“The Staff Monitors are in Ondo to ensure that police officers perform their duties within the approved rules and regulations. They will oversee police conduct in all the local government areas across the state,” Ani stated.
In his statement, DIG Hashimu Argungu called on officers to remain professional, urging them to be firm yet respectful towards voters. He underscored the importance of safeguarding both voters and election materials to ensure the integrity of the process.
“Police officers must be friendly, firm, and polite towards the electorate. They must take responsibility for ensuring the safety of voters, election materials, and the entire voting environment,” Argungu said.
The PSC chairman further emphasized that holding police officers accountable for their actions during the election would contribute to strengthening public trust and promoting greater dedication to duty.
He reiterated that the police, as the lead agency for internal security, must play a crucial role in ensuring that the Ondo governorship election is free from violence, malpractice, and interference.
