By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
Ahead of the March 11 Governorship and State Assembly elections, the Nigeria Police Force has warned against bringing pets to polling centers during the election.
The police in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that such an act runs contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.
Adejobi said that dogs could be classed as offensive weapons as their owners/handlers can use them to intimidate, harass and cause assault and bodily harm to others.
“The provision of Section 126 (1) of the Electoral Act. 2022, explains clearly those actions exhibited by electorates that constitute electoral breaches and are punishable under the law, and paragraph (f) mentions possession of weapons calculated to intimidate voters and electoral officers.
“Dogs could be classed as offensive weapons as their owners/handlers can use them to intimidate, harass and cause assault and bodily harm to others.
“The conceived ideas and plans by certain individuals, electorates, and groups of people to go to the polls accompanied by pets are unacceptable, stand discouraged, and remain an act of electoral infraction as it will cause harassment and intimidation.
“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, warns those who intend to display their pets, dogs specifically, for whatever purpose, at the polling units, to desist as such constitutes a violation of the electoral Act, 2022, as amended, and other extant laws, “he said.
