Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Mamman Sanda, has warned politicians against destroying posters or billboards of their opponents.
Recall that the warning was given during a meeting with leaders of various political parties in his office on Wednesday.
He said the aim was to ensure hitch-free politicking in the state.
“I would like to use this avenue to warn against removing or defacing your opponent’s posters/leaflets, be it inter-party or intraparty,” the CP said.
He further warned against posting political banners/posters at public buildings, such as government institutions, schools, hospitals, INEC offices, and worship centres.
CP Sanda said doing so is tantamount to an electoral offence as enshrined in Section 92 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.
He pointed out that “under Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the electioneering campaigns has commenced with effect from 28th September 2022 for the Presidential and National Assembly, while that of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly from 12th October 2022. Hence, It is expedient to note that, the pre-Election activities forms a critical step in the Electoral process that will pave the way for free, fair and credible elections”.
The police commissioner expressed the commitment of police towards providing security and order within a political system conducive enough to guarantee hitch-free and threat-free campaign processes to people and the entire electoral processes before, during, and after the conduct of the 2023 general election in Bauchi state.
He said that as a leading agency in election security, charged with enforcing laws and maintaining order before, during, and after the election, the police would be firm, stern, and decisive with all forms of breaches that may mar the process.
The police commissioner announced that using quasi-security outfits created by state or local communities under whatever name or guise is not allowed to participate during the electioneering campaigns and other electoral processes as they have no role in the Electoral Act.
He noted that to achieve a hitch-free electioneering campaign in Bauchi state, all political parties are to submit their proposed campaigns/rallies to the Police Command headquarters in a bit to avoid collusion of venues and time.
He said that all political parties’ applications for campaigns/rallies should be submitted forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled date, and the permission will be communicated twenty-four (24) hours before the event.
He warned that anyone found wanting directly or indirectly connected with such acts would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
While appealing to all political leaders and candidates to eschew any form of violence during electioneering campaigns and other electoral processes.
