The police command in Ebonyi has deployed its officers and men to boost security ahead of Saturday’s local government elections.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said this in a statement on Thursday.

The Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) had fixed July 20 for the chairmanship and councillorship elections in all 13 local government areas and 171 wards.

According to Ukandu, the command has also restricted human and vehicular movements during the elections.

“In anticipation of the chairmanship and councillorship elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 20, across the 13 LGAs and 171 wards in Ebonyi State, the Commissioner of Police, CP Augustina Ogbodo, has massively deployed officers for maximum security,” he said.

The spokesman further stated that the command would collaborate with the sister security agencies to ensure that residents of the state peacefully exercise their franchise during the elections.

“The general public should note that there will be a restriction of movement on the election day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. However, persons providing essential services, such as EBSIEC staff, accredited media and election observers, firefighters, ambulances, etc., are exempted from the restriction order,” said the statement.

It added, “Those involved should provide a valid means of identification during the period of the exercise. The police, through its commissioner, CP Augustina Ogbodo, uses this medium to implore all political actors to eschew all forms of violence and utterances that can heat the polity.

“We, therefore, warn all party supporters against instigating the breakdown of law and order while appealing to the electorate to conduct themselves in a civil manner on election day. For any emergency on the election day, please call 08033447426, 08034752452, 07064515001.”

(NAN)