(Police. Photo by Vanguard News)
The Ekiti State Police Command has announced a restriction on inter-state and intra-state vehicular movements across the state on Saturday, the governorship election day.
According to the Command, the restriction takes effect from 12am to 6pm on election day and will cover all roads within the state and inter-state highways, as part of comprehensive security arrangements designed to ensure a violence-free election.
However, the Command stated in a statement released by its Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, on Friday, that students and candidates taking national structured examinations or assessments are not affected and should proceed to their examination centres as normal.
Abutu said the vehicular movement restriction is intended to prevent the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
The restriction applies to all motorized transportation, including private cars, commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles.
Those planning to travel between states and intending to pass through any part of Ekiti State during the stated period were advised to use alternative routes.
However, persons on essential duties, including designated INEC staff and ad-hoc staff, accredited journalists, local and international election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and essential services providers, are exempted and allowed to use the roads.
Such persons are required to carry valid identification and clearance tags.
Medical emergency movements are also permitted during the stated period.
The movement of VIPs accompanied by armed escorts or security aides to polling units and collation centres is strictly discouraged and will not be permitted.
Quasi-security groups, vigilantes and volunteer organisations are strictly prohibited from providing any form of security services at polling units or collation centres throughout the election period.
Due to safety concerns, the notice also serves as binding guidance to construction companies to halt all active road work during the stated period.
Only officers and personnel from security agencies and organisations that are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) are authorised to provide security at and around all designated election facilities.
The command urged residents to comply with the measure, which is designed to create a peaceful environment enabling voters to freely exercise their right to vote.
The command further stated that in collaboration with other security agencies, it would not hesitate to act decisively against any individual or group attempting to violate the order or threaten the peace of the state.
The Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti State Governorship Election, Dr Abayomi Shogunle, urged registered voters to come out and vote, with everyone remaining law-abiding and cooperating with security personnel who have been adequately deployed across the state to maintain law and order.
Shogunle assured all residents and stakeholders of the Nigeria Police’s steadfast commitment to protecting lives and property before, during and after the election.
The police called on residents to report any suspicious activity or security concerns to the nearest police station or security agency, or by calling the police emergency line.
