The Ekiti State Police Command has announced a restriction on vehicular movement across the state on Saturday, ahead of the governorship election.
SP Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
According to Abutu, the restriction would take effect from midnight, 12:00 a.m, to 6:00 p.m and cover both intra-state and inter-state roads within Ekiti.
He said that the measure was part of comprehensive security arrangements aimed at ensuring a peaceful, orderly and violence-free election.
He noted that the restriction would apply to all forms of motorised transportation, including private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles.
However, students and candidates participating in the West African Secondary School Leaving Certification Examination (WASSCE) and other national structured examinations and assessments are exempted from the restriction and are allowed to proceed to their examination centres.
“Travellers intending to pass through the state on election day are therefore advised to make alternative arrangements and use other routes.
“Accredited officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ad-hoc staff, journalists, election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and other essential service providers will however be permitted to move during the restriction period, provided they carry valid identification and clearance tags.” Abutu said.
The command’s spokesperson added that movement of VIPs with armed escorts to polling units and collation centres would not be allowed.
“Vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits and volunteer groups are also prohibited from providing security services during the election.
Abutu advised construction companies undertaking road projects in the state to suspend active construction work for the duration of the election, citing safety concerns.
He said that only personnel of recognised security agencies and organisations under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) would be authorised to provide security at polling units, collation centres and other election facilities.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Ekiti Governorship Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, as urging registered voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility peacefully, assuring residents of adequate security before, during and after the poll.
Shogunle also called on members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency or through the police emergency line, 08062335577.