PSC To Monitor Police Conduct In 2023 Elections

The Police Service Commission (PSC) will deploy staff monitors to the 774 local government areas of the country to monitor the conduct of police officers on election duties during the 2023 general election holding on Saturday, February 25 and March 11, 2023, respectively.

The commission said it will monitor the conduct of these officers to ensure that they operate within defined rules of engagement prescribed for officers on election duties.

The PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani also said the commission believes that the success of the 2023 general election largely depends on how effective and efficient the police, the lead agency in internal security are able to maximise the benefits of inter-agency collaboration with sister security agencies.

He also said guidelines on police conduct during the elections will soon be released by the commission to guide policemen who will be involved in election security.

The commission will also release dedicated telephone numbers where Nigerians will be required to call to complain or commend police officers during the elections.

It would be noted that the PSC, a federal executive body, has the constitutional mandate to discipline and exercise control over officers of the Nigeria Police Force except the inspector-general of police, amongst other constitutional responsibilities.

The PSC however, warned that police officers found negligent or outrightly involved in official misconduct would be disciplined in line with the provisions of the law.

“Police Officers are advised to restrict themselves to providing security during the elections and should not engage in serving as conductors for vote buying or other misconducts. The commission will continue to hold the police accountable for its conduct or misconduct during the elections as its contribution to deepening the nation’s democracy,” the PSC stated.