The Nigerian Police, Zamfara State Police Command have deployed senior officers, including Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Muhammad Hussaini Gumel and the Commissioner of Police (CP) of Kaduna State Command, Mohammed Rabi’u, along with a large contingent of security personnel, to oversee the rerun election in Kaura-Namoda South Constituency scheduled for Thursday, August 21.
The deployment aims to guarantee total peace and the smooth conduct of the polls.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the rerun election in five polling units across Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards following the cancellation of over 3,000 votes during the bye-election held last Saturday.
Addressing the troops at the Zamfara Police Command headquarters, AIG Gumel highlighted the critical role of security agencies in safeguarding voters, INEC staff, and election materials.
He assured that the police, in collaboration with sister agencies, would perform their duties professionally and urged officers to avoid any misconduct or unprofessional behaviour.
The security personnel deployed for the rerun election include officers from the Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Federal Fire Service.
AIG Gumel instructed them to work together to ensure a seamless electoral process.
He warned officers against assisting voters in marking their ballots and reminded them that political party officials are prohibited from being around polling units and collation centres.
Only accredited political party agents can observe the process within the polling areas.
Commissioner of Police Mohammed Rabi’u emphasised that vote buying, political intimidation, and any form of thuggery will not be tolerated.
He directed security personnel to arrest anyone found with weapons at polling units.
He called on the public to comply with movement restrictions in affected areas to facilitate a smooth election.
With these measures in place, the Zamfara Police aim to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful rerun election, protecting both the electorate’s rights and the integrity of the democratic process in Kaura-Namoda South Constituency.