The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba, today said 21,000 police officers would be deployed for the Osun State governorship election on July 16.
He stated this in Osogbo at the stakeholders’ meeting of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the Osun 2022 Governorship Election.
The IGP, however, said that the deployment is not intended to intimidate residents but rather prevent miscreants from highjacking or causing any disruption during the election.
He emphasises that the briefing of the deployed officers is to provide security, and protect the electorate, INEC personnel and materials before, during and after the election.
He said the officers deployed are trained and made aware of the rules of engagement, adding that the police remained apolitical and they are to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
In his address, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC National Chairman, said the commission was fully ready to conduct the Osun election. According to him, the election materials have already been deployed to all the state INEC local government area offices.
Yakubu, however, said sensitive materials would be delivered to the wards 24 hours before the election and the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) collection is expected to continue until Thursday, July 14, two days before the governorship election.
Stating the records on PVC collection in the state, Mahmood added that out of the 1,955,657 registered voters in Osun, 1,479,959 voters have collected their PVCs as of the INEC record of Sunday, July 10.
He said INEC would also be setting a record as Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) would also be deployed as ad hoc staff selected from NYSC corps members) for the election, asking the electorate to cooperate and protect them.
He said that five INEC National Commissioners, 12 Resident Electoral Commissioners and other senior INEC officers would be on the ground to support the Osun office to deliver a credible, free, fair and conclusive election.
