"Vote and Go" "Stay and Protect" Who's Interest?

Different political parties at different campaign ground asked their supports to cast their vote and wait to protect it.
Governor Babatunde Fashola , yesterday on a campaign ground in Somolu Local government area of Lagos state, warned the electorate not to leave the polling booths after casting their votes, saying; “There is nothing that stops you from waiting at the polling units after casting your vote. But the electoral law prohibits campaign for vote at the polling units. “Asking electorate to stay 300 meters away from the polling units is like asking one to stay away from the polling units three times the length of a football field. And one cannot see what is happening,” he added.
Fashola said that election is governed by law, adding “those who said you should stay away from the polling units are reading the electoral act wrongly. And they planned to rig the election. Advise for election day According to the governor, “before you leave home on Saturday, the first thing you should do is to wash your hands so that the card readers can recognize your finger print. Also on that day, dress well and call others when you are going to the polling units. “After you have been accredited and you have cast your vote, stay where you can see how the voting process is going on. “It is not only the political parties that have interest in the electoral process. Citizens who aren’t affiliated to any of the political parties also have interest in the outcome of the polls. “Don’t fight with anyone at the polling units. The electoral act says that once the voting is completed in each of the polling units, the electoral officer must count the vote and announce the result to the residents.” “And that is how it is stated in the electoral law. If the residents are not there, who will the electoral officers announce the result of the election to. Stay close to the polling units and don’t disrupt the election process,” he added.
Likewise, Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ahmadu Alli, yesterday, direct PDP faithful to remain at the polling booths after casting their votes in the forth coming general elections. Alli, who is the Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Organisation,spoke in Abuja, at the occasion of formal endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election by Mr. Micah Jiba-led Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON. He insisted that supporters of the PDP must stay back at the various polling units after casting their votes in order to guide against alleged plans by the leading opposition party to rig the polls.
Senator Alli, however, cautioned his party loyalists to resist any attempt to be pushed to cause mayhem.
 In a contrary view, the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has warned voters not to remain at the polling centers after casting their votes on Saturday. Mr. Abba, on Tuesday told a gathering in Abuja, in very clear terms, that the security operatives expect everyone to vote and go. The IGP made the pronouncement during the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC stakeholders’ meeting.
 This view had been opposed by the political parties and INEC. INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, had repeatedly maintained that voters could stay and protect their votes after casting their ballot as long as they conduct themselves in such a way that they do not run foul of the Electoral Act. The IGP, however, insists that voters should not wait after the voting exercise because there is high possibility of committing electoral offense if they stay back. He also added that each polling unit would have at least two or three policemen to protect votes cast by voters. “We will go on to protect the electorate. Every eligible voter should feel safe enough to cast his votes. We will be there to protect the votes and make sure no one disrupts the process,” Abba said.

Police Issue Restriction Of Movement Order

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, says persons on essential duties, ambulances and fire service trucks are, however, exempted from the restriction of movement order. This, according to the Police, is part of efforts to ensure adequate security in the forthcoming general elections across the federation on March 28 and April 11, 2015.
The Police advised travellers and citizens who intend to use roads on election days and hours to plan alternative times for their trips.
While expressing his regrets over the inconveniences that road users and the general public might encounter as a result of this restriction, the IGP appealed for the understanding and cooperation of the entire citizenry. The IGP gave the assurance that adequate security logistics and manpower have been strategically deployed to achieve a most conducive electioneering atmosphere.
In a separate statement the IGP advice voters to "Vote And Go"
The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has also warned voters not to remain at the polling centers after casting their votes on Saturday. Mr Abba, on Tuesday told a gathering in Abuja, in very clear terms, that the security operatives expect everyone to vote and go. The IGP made the pronouncement during the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC stakeholders’ meeting. This view had been opposed by the political parties and INEC.

 Source:Channels TV

Federal Court In Lagos Bars Soldiers From Polling Stations

Federal Court on Monday ruled against the use of military for the forthcoming general elections without the approval of the National Assembly.
A Justice of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Ibrahim Buba, held that “It is unconstitutional for the Federal Government to deploy military for the supervision of election purposes without the approval of the National Assembly.” He noted that the practice of deploying troops from the Nigerian Armed Forces in the conduct of elections when there is no conflict is “anti- democratic” and unconstitutional. “The armed forces have no role in elections. “The time has come for us to establish the culture of democratic rule in the country and to start to do the right thing particularly when it has to do with dealing with the electoral process which is one of the pillars of democracy. “In spite of the behaviour of the political class, we should by all means try to keep armed personnel and military from being a part and parcel of the electoral process. “The state is obligated to confine the military to their very demanding assignment, especially in this time of insurgencies by keeping them out of elections. The state is also obligated to ensure that citizens exercise their franchise freely and unmolested,” he said.
The House of Representatives Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, had filed the suit challenging the legality of soldiers’ deployment during the general election. Defendants in the suit were President Jonathan, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the Attorney-General of the Federation. Mr Femi Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Seni Adio, told the court that the deployment of soldiers during previous elections held in Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun were contrary to the Nigerian Constitution.
A Court of Appeal in Abuja had previously ruled against the use of soldiers in the conduct of elections, stating that it was a violation of Section 217(2)(c) of the Constitution and Section 1 of the Armed Forces Act. Buba, during his ruling, said that he was bound by the appellate court’s decision. The Judge added that a careful research into all the Nigerian laws, as interpreted by the appellate court, would reveal that there was nowhere where it was stated that the President could deploy military for elections. “I am bound by the decision of the Court of Appeal and equally persuaded by the decision of Federal High Court, Sokoto, which also persuaded the Court of Appeal. “It is in this regard that the court will say that its duty in interpreting the constitution has been simplified and made easy by the decisions I have referred to extensively.”

Obama urges Nigeria to shun election violence

U.S President, Barack Obama has called on Nigerians to shun violence and express their views peacefully during the upcoming elections. Obama in a message to the people of Nigeria said, ‘’Nigeria is a great nation” adding that “you can be proud of the progress you’ve made. “Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions. You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength. You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.’’
Speaking on the election, the U.S President said, ‘’ for elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful”, adding that ‘’all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.’’ ‘’I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence before, during, or after the votes are counted. I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence.’’ ‘’When elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins. Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today.’’ Speaking on terrorism and insurgency in the nation, Barack Obama said, ‘’Boko Haram, a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children must be stopped. Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families. Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes.’’ ‘’Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build. By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress. I’m told that there is a saying in your country: to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done. Today, I urge all Nigerians, from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions, to come together and keep Nigeria one. And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.’’ The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be conducting Nigeria’s presidential election on Saturday March 28 after it was re- scheduled due to security reasons.