Abaniwonda Olufemi, Delta State Commissioner of Police (CP), has ordered massive deployment of its personnel to the 25 Local Government Areas of the state where the electorate would exercise their right to vote for candidates of their choice during the chairmanship and councillorship elections holding tomorrow, Saturday.
A statement signed by Bright Edafe, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a police superintendent, revealed that the deployment would ensure hitch-free elections.
The command in synergy with other sister agencies has deployed massively across the state, all polling units, RACs, collation centres, and Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) offices to ensure a hitch-free exercise and also protect the electorates and DSIEC officials.
According to the statement, Marine Police have equally been deployed to the waterways to ensure the area too, is peaceful during the election.
Police command to enforce restriction of movement across 25 LGs
He informed me that there would be restrictions on vehicular movement from 0800 hours (8 AM) to 1500 hours (3 PM) on that day (Saturday, July 13).
Only officials on emergency and essential duties which include accredited election monitors and observers would be allowed passage just as NABTEB examination students are also exempted from this restriction of movement order, he explained.
“While regretting the inconveniences this will cause, members of the public are therefore advised to adhere to this instruction as anyone found wanting will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The ban on VIP escorts during the election will also be enforced, they are therefore advised not to move with their security details on election day, as any officer found wanting will be arrested and sanctioned accordingly, the CP warned.
He also advised all non-state actors (vigilantes, anti-cult volunteers, hunters etc.) that they would not be playing any role whatsoever during the elections. So, they are to steer clear of the polling units and the entire election process, as any of them found meddling in the election process will be decisively dealt with, he cautioned.
While wishing residents in the state a hitch-free election, he noted that the success of the election to a large extent, lies in how the electorate conducts themselves.
Thus, the CP urged all residents to be law-abiding and rest assured that the command would not compromise in carrying out its primary responsibility of ensuring the protection of life and property, as well as the preservation of public tranquillity before, during, and after the elections.
“The following dedicated phone lines are available to the public to reach the command, as a quick response contact for any complaint or distress situation during the election exercise: Control Room Numbers – 08036684974, 0811485600, 08025666914”, the CP concluded.
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