Troops deployment not threat to Edo poll – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday in Abuja defended the deployment of troops in Edo State ahead of next Saturday’s governorship election. It said those complaining about the deployment were “merely crying wolf.”The commission also assured that since soldiers would not be at polling units, the deployment would not constitute a threat to free and fair election.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, told The PUNCH that the troops – a combination of military and para-military organisations including the Police – had been mandated to search vehicles for arms.

He said, “The people complaining of troops deployment are merely crying wolf; when people say troops have been deployed, they need to confirm the authenticity of that information. There is what we call inter-consultative agency on election security which has all paramilitary, military agencies and Police as members.

“In other words, you have the Army, Office of the National Security Adviser, Navy, Airforce, Customs, Immigration, FRSC, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Police. They were consolidated in the committee which was facilitated by INEC just before the 2011 election.

“That committee has held a meeting and there is a joint operational order. The police of course are needed in form of civil security.

“But there are support services offered by all other agencies including the Customs, Navy Airforce, Army and all others. They are only offering support services for the police. During the 2011 election, the Police, NSCDC, Customs and Immigration were used but in troubled spots.”

Idowu said the Army would be on standby for rapid deployment when needed and that they would not be found in any polling station.

“You can only see them at roadblocks especially in troubled areas and they are being joined by other security agencies to ensure that vehicles coming in are not carrying bombs. Even where there is no elections, that also happens. On the Airport Road, Abuja, that is the situation as well. So it is not new but you will not see a military man near a polling unit,” he said.

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide