- Safiu Kehinde
The Anambra State Police Command has announced the restriction of vehicular movements in, out and across the state, owing to the governorship election on Saturday.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Anambra Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The restriction, as announced by Ikenga, takes effect from 12:00am to 6:00pm across all roads and interstate highways.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the general public that there will be a total restriction of vehicular movements in, out, and across the state on Saturday, being the day of the governorship election,” he said.
Ikenga explained that the measure was in line with the unanimous decision reached at the meeting of the Security Services Commanders in the state held in Awka on Wednesday.
According to him, the decision is aimed at preventing the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
The police spokesman said that the restriction applies to all forms of motorised transportation, including private vehicles, commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles, motorcycles and shuttle buses.
“Therefore, all intended interstate travelers intending to travel through any part of the state are advised to take alternative routes during this period,” he said.
He said that only persons on essential duties such as designated Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, accredited journalists and election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and essential services providers would be exempted.
According to him, such persons must carry valid identification and clearance tag at all times.
Ikenga urged residents to comply with the security arrangement, as it was designed to safeguard lives and property, ensure a peaceful election atmosphere and guarantee that voters freely exercise their right to vote their preferred candidate.
The Command called on the electorate to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security personnel who have been deployed across the state to enforce the directive and maintain order.