Police ban voters from taking dogs to polling units

The police have warned voters not to take dogs to polling units for security during the election.

The police force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Tuesday, said dogs could be classified as “offensive weapons”.

Some Nigerians are said to be considering taking dogs to polling units for the March 11 governorship and state assembly elections to protect themselves against attack.

But the police said handlers of dogs at polling units could use them to intimidate and cause bodily harm to others.

The police said the use of dogs contravenes section 126 of the electoral act of 2022.

“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,” the statement read.

It also said, “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 Dogs Act, CAP 55 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1958 as domesticated in various States, and other Criminal Laws in Nigeria are trite.

“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.”