Anambra 2021: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials, as IGP bans politically-branded vehicles, others at polling units, deploys 34,587 police personnel
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Thursday, began distribution of sensitive materials to the 21 local council areas of Anambra ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
This is also as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, Thursday, announced the ban on political branded vehicles and other campaign materials in polling units during November 6, governorship poll in Anambra State.
Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakubu had during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Awka, on Thursday said the sensitive materials had arrived the state and were being warehoused at the State branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, located at Akwa, the State capital.
Some of materials included the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), ballot booklets, result sheets and other documentary materials for use at various polling units during the election.
The INEC National Commissioner in charge of supervision of Anambra election, Mr. Festus Okoye, while briefing the press said seven Resident Electoral Commissioners were already in the state to take charge of the three Local council areas each on the election day.
Okoye further said adequate security arrangements had also been provided to secure the materials at INEC offices in all local government areas of the state.
“Vehicles conveying the materials were electronically tracked to ensure they followed identified routes to their destinations,” he added.
Director Electoral Operation, INEC, Mr Abdulrazak Yusuf said the materials were uniquely designed for each polling unit.
He disclosed that the Commission also made provisions for replacements both for result sheets and ballot papers in the event of damage or emergencies.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has banned political branded vehicles and other campaign materials in polling units during November 6, 2021, governorship poll in Anambra State.
The IGP made announcement on Thursday during Baba at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Professor Dora Akunyili Development Center, in preparation for the governorship poll.
The meeting was also attended by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakubu, Governorship Candidates of all political parties, party leaders, Heads of all security agencies, religious leaders, as well as, government representatives.
The IGP told the stakeholders that the police was fully prepared for the governorship poll, warned all candidates to play by the rules.
He further assured that the police was prepared to support INEC to deliver a free, fair, credible and successful election.
“Police is ready for this election. All electoral processes must be accorded. Police will not compromise any act of malpractice.
“Our candidates must abide by the electoral rules. No branded vehicles or use of campaign materials, especially on the polling units.
“In furtherance to this, we have been holding series of meetings at the most strategic level with INEC leadership, the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“Following the outcome of these meetings and in due cognisance of the threats envisioned we have emplaced an election security management Action Plan that will engender effective coordination between the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police, Military and personnel of other security agencies towards delivering a peaceful and credible electoral process in the State.
“Aside the optimal deployment of our intelligence assets to proactively frustrate any threat to the elections, we have also deployed a total of Thirty-Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-Seven (34,587) Police personnel for purpose of protecting the personnel and assets of the Independent
National Electoral Commission, the electorates, and residents of Anambra State during the exercise.
“This figure will be complemented by the Military and other security and intelligence agencies. Our election security is designed such that all the three (3) Senatorial Districts, twenty-one (21) Local Government Areas, three hundred and twenty-six (326) Wards and five thousand, seven hundred and twenty (5,720) Polling Units across the State will witness adequate security coverage.
“I must, at this juncture, assure all the People of Anambra State, the country at large and the international community of our firm commitment to support INEC in delivering a free, fair, credible and successful election in the State.
“I also wish to assure that the personnel of the Nigeria Police, as the lead agency in election security management, shall remain impartial, firm, accountable and professional in the exercise of their statutory duties as provided for in the Electoral Act and other enabling laws.
“In this regard, all the security personnel to be deployed are under instructions to be guided by the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty as developed jointly by INEC and security agencies.
“The document clearly highlights the roles, ethics and standard of operations of all security agents to be deployed on election security duties. Accordingly, all security agents are fully conscious of the fact that they are under an obligation to perform their functions within rule of law and civil dictates and that they could be held accountable for any professional conduct that negates the dictates of the Code of Conduct,” the IG stated.
