The Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Pai, made the call at a training organised for the police by British Department For International Development in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.
At the training with the theme, "Policing election project," the National Programme Manager, Justice for All (DFID), Mr. Bob Arnot, said the programme was aimed at reinforcing the knowledge and skills of members of the force in the art of policing for the maintenance of democratic process.
Also at the event were Ekiti Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Rindom Kumvent, officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.
Pai, who urged the police to allow INEC staff take charge of the conduct of the election, cautioned against unhealthy rivalry between police and INEC staff.
He said, "The police must be aware that many will not vote in this election because of the fears and expectations that there may be crisis. So, they must deploy more men to areas marked as flashpoints and areas with history of violence for us to achieve success.
"It has happened in the past when our men were ambushed by thugs while transporting materials to election units and wards, particularly in very remote areas. We have to check this by ensuring that we have enough police up in the hinterland."
Pai warned the police against acts that could erode their dignity in the eyes of the public.
"We are going to provide stipends for the police, but this is very small. But you still have to choose between selling your conscience and discharging your loyalty to a national assignment because to us in INEC, there is no preferred candidate. They are all the same as far as we are concerned," Pai stressed.
At the event, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Uyanna, said, "The Police won't hesitate to shut down the State before the election day, if that would guarantee free, fair and credible election that would be acceptable to political actors and electorate."
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