The police command in Delta has ordered a massive deployment of personnel to ensure a hitch-free local government election slated for Saturday.

The police commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda, stated this in a statement by the command spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, on Thursday.

Mr Abaniwonda said that vehicular movement would be restricted between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm on Saturday.

He said those on special duties and students writing the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) are exempted from the restriction.

The statement said, “Ahead of the upcoming local government elections slated for July 13 in Delta, the commissioner of police has ordered a massive deployment of personnel to ensure hitch-free elections.

“The command, in synergy with other sister agencies, has been deployed massively to all polling units, RACs, collation centres, and offices of the Delta Independent Electoral Commission to protect officials.”

It added, “The Marine Police have equally been deployed to the waterways to ensure the areas are peaceful during the election. Only officials on essential duties which included the accredited election monitors and observers and students writing the NABTEB will be allowed movement.

“The ban on VIP escorts during the election will also be enforced. They should not move with their security details on election day. Any officer found wanting will be arrested and sanctioned accordingly.”

He advised vigilantes, anti-cult volunteers and hunters to steer clear of the polling units, saying that anyone caught meddling with the election processes would be decisively dealt with.

The commissioner urged residents to be law-abiding as the outcome of the election would to a larger extent depend on how the electorate behave.

He assured that the command would not compromise in its primary responsibility of guaranteeing the protection of life and property before, during and after the elections. 

(NAN)