Bayelsa: Police bar personnel from escorting VIPs to polling units

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State police command has threatened to sanction personnel who escort their principals to polling units during Saturday’s supplementary election in Southern Ijaw council area and in 101 units across six local government areas of the state.

Spokesman of the command Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said violation of the order amounts to indiscipline and disobedience, adding that any officer caught will be dealt with severely.

According to him, “VIPs, political appointees are advised to desist from using security men as escorts to polling units.

File: A Voter being Accredited by an INEC Official at unit 18 Ward 6 Amarata, Yenegoa during the Bayelsa State Governorship Election. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

“They should equally restrict themselves to their polling units after voting, as movement to other locations will amount to intimidation, campaign and a gross violation of extant electoral laws.

“Police officers, i.e SPU, PMF, Counter Terrorist Unit among others, are hereby warned to desist from escorting their principals to polling units on election date.

Any violation to this order will amount to indiscipline and disobedience to lawful order. Any officer caught will be dealt with severely.

“The affected electorates are advised to go and cast their votes for candidates of their choice without fear as adequate security measures have been put in place to curtail the activities of miscreants.”