2023 General Elections: Use of dogs and other pets at polling units is criminal – Police

The Nigeria Police Force has said that the use of pets, especially dogs, at the polling units on Election Day is criminal, condemnable and runs contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.

This followed reports that some electorate and groups planned to go to the polls on Saturday accompanied by their dogs as a form of protection against intimidation from political thugs and ballot box snatchers.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this in a statement obtained by our correspondent.

Adejobi noted that the provision of Section 126 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022, explains clearly those actions exhibited by the electorate that constitute electoral breaches and are punishable under the law, and paragraph (f) mentions the possession of weapons calculated to intimidate voters and electoral officers.

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He said, “Dogs could be classified 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, electorate, 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 NPF, 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.”