THE police have warned that they will not allow anyone or group or representatives of groups or political parties to share money at any of the polling units in Ekiti State during Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of election operations for Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Mr Habila Joshak, who handed down this warning, also announced the withdrawal of police security from all VIPs in the state.
DIG Joshak, who addressed newsmen in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, also charged the people of Ekiti State to come out to cast their votes, saying adequate security had been made available and that they would be up and doing in their duties.
Joshak said anyone found doing that would be arrested and would be prosecuted, while whatever money found on such people would be confiscated.
He said: “Nobody will be allowed to give money to make people vote for them on Saturday. Nobody will be allowed to sit in one corner and be calling people to come and collect money.
“We will not allow anyone, no matter how highly-placed, to be giving people money to vote for them at any of the polling units in the state.
He said four police officers would be on duty at each of the polling units in the state during the election.
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He announced that all police security attached to both Governor Ayodele Fayose, his deputy, Professor Kolapo Olusola and that of Dr Kayode Fayemi, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be withdrawn during the election.
Joshak urged his men not to work for any political party, saying any police officer found exhibiting such will have himself to blame.
“Those who want to create posts where votes are going to be bought will be disappointed. We are not going allow it.
“If you cast your votes, you can keep a distance and protect your votes, but if you snatch the ballot, we will cut off your hands, if you run with it, we will stop your legs.
“If you come out with masquerade on the day of the election, we will get it arrested and unmask the man behind it.
“My men will be civil, so people are free to come out to vote. Nobody will be harassed, that is not part of our duties.
“Our duty is to secure not only the electoral materials but all the citizens. We are going to be professional and watchful, because we don’t want to be bedevilled with cases of hooliganism, ballot snatching and hate speeches before, during and after this election,” he said.
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