The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have restricted movement in 36 local government areas across 11 states where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is organising bye-elections on Saturday, 5th December 2020.
Muyiwa Adejobi, Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, on Friday said there will be restriction of movement from 6 am to 6 pm in Somolu, Kosofe, Epe, Ikorodu, and Ibeju-Lekki LGAs in the state.
Adejobi had in a tweet said, “Lagos-East senatorial election, no movement between 6 am and 6 pm of Saturday, December 5, 2020. Comply please.”
Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Commissioner of Police had in a statement added that the restriction was supposed to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
The statement was titled, ‘Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe Constituency II bye-elections: Police declare restriction order, sue for peaceful conduct’.
The statement read in part, “The command has deployed a reasonable number of police personnel and other security agents to cover and provide security at the 1,928 polling units in the areas.
“The Commissioner of Police reiterated that there would not be both vehicular and pedestrian movements in and out of the affected local government areas during the elections except those on election duties, essential services, and accredited domestic and foreign election observers.
Similarly, the Plateau State Government announced the restriction of movement in six LGAs ahead of the Plateau-South senatorial bye-election today.
Prof Danladi Atu, Secretary to the State Government in a statement on Friday said the restriction, would be from 6 am to 6 pm.
Atu said, “By this directive, only those on essential duties will be permitted to move around during the period of restriction. The government wishes to call on all citizens within the Southern Senatorial Zone to fully cooperate by observing this directive in order to ensure that the bye-election is successfully conducted.”
The electoral umpire, INEC, also disclosed that it had deployed 36,223 staff members for the poll in 11 states today.