Authorities Issue A Warning Against Using Dogs And Others At Voting Places.

On Saturday, March 11, during the gubernatorial election, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning to followers of different political parties asking them not to bring their dogs or other pets with them to the voting places.

Such actions, according to a statement from police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi, are in violation of the Election Act of 2022, as amended.

The police statement is a response to claims that supporters of various political parties intended to be present at voting places with dogs and other pets to safeguard their ballots.

The use of pets, particularly dogs, at voting places on election day has been discouraged by the Nigeria Police Force since it is against the terms of the Election Act of 2022, as amended, Adejobi added.

The Electoral Act of 2022, Section 126(1), “explains explicitly certain acts by electorates that constitute electoral violations and are punished by law, and paragraph (f) addresses possession of weapons meant to frighten voters and election officials.”

Dogs might be considered aggressive weapons, he said, since their owners and keepers can use them to intimidate, harass, and attack and injure other people.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1958 CAP 55 Statutes, as domesticated in several States, and other Criminal Laws in Nigeria are trite.

“It is inappropriate, discouraged, and nonetheless an electoral infringement when certain voters, electorates, and organizations decide to bring their dogs to the polls since it will result in harassment and intimidation.

The Nigeria Police Force consequently issues a warning to anybody planning to show their pets—specifically dogs—for whatever reason at the voting places, noting that doing so is against the election act of 2022, as amended, and other existing laws.