By Zubairu Idris
Katsina – The Katsina State Police Command has pledged to maintain neutrality and provide adequate security during the upcoming general elections.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Wakili, disclosed this on Wednesday in Katsina during a pre-election parley, organised by an (NGO), Anchor Initiative for Community Development (AICD) in collaboration with Katsina branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Wakili was represented by Mr Musa Yusufari, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in Charge of Administration in the command.
‘‘The Police are well prepared for the elections; we will collaborate with other security agents to provide security and the police will be neutral,’’ he said.
Wakili said that a peace accord had been signed by all the governorship candidates, underscoring their resolve for hitch free elections in the state.
He, therefore, solicited for the support and constructive criticisms from the public to enable security agencies discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
The NBA Social Secretary, Mr Paul Gbande, stated that the Electoral Act had spelt out certain actions regarded as misconducts during the elections.
He said: ‘‘On the date in which an election is held, doing any of the following acts in a polling unit or within a distance of 300 metres of the polling unit, is regarded as misconduct.
‘‘Canvass for votes, solicit for vote of any voter, persuade a voter not to vote for any particular candidate, persuade any voter not to vote at the election and shout slogan concerning the election.
‘‘Others were being in possession of any offensive weapon or wear any dress or harm any official, use any vehicle wearing the symbol of political party, snatch or destroy any election material.”
In his remarks, the AICD Chairman, Babadiya Shola, said that the parley was aimed at sensitising various stakeholders to their rights, responsibilities, scope and limitations as provided in the constitution. (NAN)