Dogs and other pets have been banned from polling units in Nigeria ahead of Saturday’s governorship elections.
After witnessing violence during the presidential election two weeks ago, some voters have said they would bring their dogs this weekend. However, Nigerian police said on Tuesday that this will not be allowed because dogs could be classified as offensive weapons as their owners/handlers can use them to intimidate, harass, assault, and cause physical harm to others.
This was stated in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Affairs Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi. According to Adejobi, such acts violate the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and other national laws. As a result, the police urged Nigerians to follow the instruction in order to prevent cases of harassment and intimidation during the country’s elections.
The Nigeria Police Force has deemed it necessary to educate and caution Nigerians on the use of pets, especially, dogs, at the polling units on election day, as such act runs contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended. 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 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.