The Ebonyi State police command said it deployed officers to polling units and strategic locations across the state ahead of the August 22 Local Government elections.

The Commissioner of Police, Urunwa Okafor, disclosed this in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

The police boss said the deployment was aimed at ensuring adequate security coverage across the state and creating a safe and conducive environment for eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully.

She said it was collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections across the state’s 13 Local Government Areas.

Ms Okafor announced that movement would be restricted across the state on election day from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The police, however, said persons engaged in essential and election-related duties would be exempted from the restriction.

“They include the officials of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), accredited journalists and election observers, emergency service providers, health workers and other duly authorised personnel among those exempted.

“Such persons are required to carry valid means of identification and official accreditation for ease of identification by security personnel,” she said.

The police commissioner cautioned political actors and their supporters against inflammatory rhetoric, provocative statements and actions capable of heating up the polity or undermining the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Ms Okafor warned that anyone found engaging in acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order would face the full weight of the law.

She also urged eligible voters to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, obey lawful instructions from security agents and shun violence or any other conduct capable of disrupting the electoral process.

The CP assured residents that the command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, was fully prepared to provide adequate security before, during and after the elections.

She said the command would take all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful, secure and hitch-free Local Government election.

The command urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities or security emergencies on election day through 07064515001, 08033124839 or 08037928293. 

(NAN)