Edo Locks Down For Council Polls Today To Elect 18 LG Chairmen, 192 Councillors
Citizens of Edo State today Saturday head to the polls for the local government area election.
Conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), the polls will decide chairmen and councillors for 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 192 wards.
The police and state government have announced a lockdown on vehicular movement.
Edo is a vital link between the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, the rest of the North and the South, as well as between the Niger Delta and the rest of the country.
According to the police command of the state, the restriction would be from 12 midnight to 6pm today Saturday, July 11.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASO Eno Ikoedem said the police would collaborate with other security agencies in the state to ensure a peaceful exercise.
She urged members of the public to abide by the directive as violators would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The statement said: “The restriction is part of the comprehensive security measures put in place by the Command in collaboration with other security agencies to guarantee a peaceful electoral process, protect voters, electoral officials, and sensitive materials, as well as prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“Consequently, all vehicular and human movement within the state is prohibited during the stated period, except for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, accredited election observers, duly accredited media personnel, security agencies, emergency and other essential service providers on election duty.
“Members of the public are advised to comply fully with this directive, as security operatives have been strategically deployed across the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state to enforce the restriction and maintain law and order. Any person or group found violating the restriction or engaging in acts capable of disrupting the electoral process will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, reassures the good people of Edo State that adequate security arrangements have been made to safeguard the election and urges residents to come out peacefully to exercise their civic responsibility in line with the guidelines issued by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, as the Command remains committed to ensuring a free, fair, peaceful, and credible electoral process.”
