Anambra: Police exempt women in labour from election movement restriction


Tony Okafor, Awka


Less than 24 hours to Saturday’s House of Assembly elections in Anambra State, the state's police command on Friday restricted all forms of unauthorized human and vehicular movements during the elections, even as it barred very important personalities/politicians from going to their polling units with their security details.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of election duties in the state, Aderemi Adeoye announced the restriction order on Friday evening at a press conference, at the command's headquarters in Amawbia, near Awka, the state capital.

He however said women in labour and others in similar circumstances would be exempted during the restriction period would consider accordingly.


Adeoye added that non-state actors, including operatives of of the Anambra Vigilante Services were barred from coming out on the election day.

He said police personnel had been adequately mobilized for the election, and that operatives of the state vigilante services were not permitted to engage in any election duty by way of guarding VIPs, intimidating voters or trying to coerce them against their wish, and that any one arrested for that would be dealt with just as he said motorists who would flout the restriction order would see their vehicles impounded until after the polls.

He said, “I brief you journalists today on behalf of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Rudolf Obe Echebi, and he has asked me to tell Anambra people that the police is ready to provide a safe environment for free and fair election in Anambra.

“We will also provide security for the people of the state, and they should feel free to go out and vote in the election.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, had already ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12midnight to 6:00p.m. on election day, with the exception of those on essential services and other emergency situations.

“We also announce to you that non-state actors, like the vigilante group are excluded from participating in any manner in this election.

“They are warned not to attempt to participate, either by intimidation, or by any means to coerce voters against their will, or they will be dealt with.

“Adequate arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of Anambra people and the police will ensure that the environment is safe for people to come out and cast their votes.”

Would they have done otherwise?

Before nko

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