Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Usaini Gumel, has drawn the attention of the general public to actively participate in the promotion of uniformity of intentions among the electorates, all candidates contesting elective positions, government and security officials.
The CP, according to a statement signed by the command’s media relations officer, Sanusi Abubakar, further warned politicians to commiting electoral offences highlighted in the Electoral Act.
Some of the electoral offences, according to Gumel, includes voting by unregistered persons and secret voting.
Others includes vote-buying or selling with money, disorderliness at polling units, wrongful voting and false statement, direct or indirect threat with violence to compel or refrain voters or other freedom during election, Undue influence, snatching or destruction of election materials and impersonating electoral official.
In view of the foregoing, the Command reiterated its determination to decisively dealt with violators in accordance with the provision of Electoral Act and the Constitutional provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other extant laws.
The statement partly read, “However, the command is equally using this medium to bring to the notice of law abiding citizens in the State especially political parties and candidates to prevail on their members and followers to always note and remain guided on the provisions of the aforementioned electoral offences.
“Finally, the Command wish to express its appreciation on the continuing cooperation of all critical stakeholders in particular those that attended its maiden stakeholders Colloquium and the subsequent supports and understanding the command being enjoyed during the ongoing political parties campaigns.
Specifically, the command appreciate the enormous supports from the NBA, Judiciary, media houses, NUJ, Zonal NBC and the umpire INEC on all they are doing towards sensitising the public and encourage them to keep promoting the wide circulation of the jingles series being rolled out by the police command.”
