THE Police High Command, yesterday, canvassed staggered polls, such that those of state governors, senators, House of Representatives members and council chairmen would be rotated on zone by zone basis.

In the alternative, it asked that the elections be held in about five states at intervals to make for proper and adequate security during the polls.

A senior police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said the country with a population of 150 million in 36 states and Abuja, and with a Police manpower of just over 350,000, staggering of the election would make things much easier to control.

Citing recent elections in Anambra, Edo and Ekiti states where the police had ample time and enough manpower as some of the reasons for the successful conduct of those elections, he said if such was replicated at the general elections, it would make the 2011 elections one of the best organised.

Yet to take delivery of 4 helicopters

Vanguard also learnt that the Police was set to take delivery of four new patrol helicopters to beef up security and monitor voting in polling stations as well as for distribution of logistics and materials for its officers and men during the elections.

The procurement of the four new helicopters which are currently undergoing test flights in the United States, coupled with the rehabilitation or D-Checks currently being carried out on two existing Police helicopters would bring the total number of helicopters that would be available to the police for the elections and other security patrols to eight.

Northern minorities root for Jonathan

Aside electoral issues, Vanguard gathered that minority ethnic groups in the North were planning to dump any decision that might have been reached by Northern leaders or elders to the effect that the 2011 presidency must be zoned to the area.

Sources told Vanguard that the minority groups in the North-Central zone, especially those in Kaduna, Kogi, Benue, Taraba, Jigawa, Nasarawa, among others, were out to make a statement this time around that they could no longer be taken for a ride.

A Rep from the Middle Belt said: "The so-called North or a group in the core North has fooled us for a long time and had used us to get to the position of power after which they would pull off the ladder with which they got there. This time around, we have decided to take our destiny in our hands by making our own choice.

"We also feel it is better to back Jonathan for president because he would see us all as Nigerians rather than the second class treatment we have been getting from those who only remember to call us brothers when it suits their political pursuits."