The Police Service Commission on Wednesday gave a warning to policemen not to become unnecessarily friendly with politicians and political parties during the general elections.
The commission noted that policemen should focus on their responsibility during the election, which is to ensure that the process was free, fair and violence-free.
Mr Musliu Smith, PSC Chairman, spoke in Maiduguri while presenting the guidelines of the commission for the 2019 general elections to Commissioners of Police in charge of Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states and other officers of the commands.
Smith, who was represented by the North-East Zonal Commissioner of PSC, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (retd.), noted that a lot of things had gone wrong with the police force.
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He expressed optimism that much would be corrected with the coming of the new Inspector-General of Police.
He urged police personnel to avoid intimidating the electorate, as such would attract severe punishment.
“Police officers on election duties have a responsibility of ensuring that a peaceful atmosphere is maintained at the polling and counting centres during elections and that the citizens exercise their franchise without fear,” Smith added.
“To effectively discharge these functions, never fraternise with political parties or politicians. You must be courteous and fair to all persons regardless of religious, ethnic and political affiliation.
“A lot of wrong has been done and we must put them right. This government is government of change and if things are done right, we will enjoy the country.”