President Goodluck
Jonathan may have ordered the deployment of soldiers in some states – in
defiance of court verdicts that the military has no role in elections.
There
was panic in Kwara State at the weekend as residents saw troops in the streets.
Governor
Abdulfatah Ahmed issued a statement, calling for calm.
The
military said troops were being deployed to maintain the peace before, during
and after Saturday’s elections.
The
spokesman of the Army’s 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Lt. Weri Finikumor,
said 300 troops were deployed in Ilorin and the other local government areas.
Lt.Finikumor
added that the soldiers would maintain security and not meddle in the conduct
of the presidential election.
He
added that the soldiers would stand 300 meters away from the polling booths and
would not be involved in anything pertaining to electoral materials, including
ballot papers and boxes.
Lt.
Finikumor said the police would provide security around the polling units,
adding that soldiers would intervene on invitation of the police if there is a
major security threat which the police cannot handle.
The
military’s role in the polls has been controversial. While the military high
command said the president, who is the Commander-in-Chief could deploy troops,
the opposition parties have warned against the deployment of troops for the polls,
fearing they could be used to intimidate voters and supporters of the
opposition.
Besides,
the Court of appeal has declared that the military should have no role in
elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also said
soldiers will not be used for elections — except in an emergency.
- The nation
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