Ahead of the forthcoming area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) slated for tomorrow, April, 9, 2016, the Commissioner for Police, FCT, CP Wilson Inalegwu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement across FCT as from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Part of the statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Anjuguri Manzah, said it is part of the security measures adopted by the command to ensure safety and security during the elections.

“It is pertinent to state that this restriction excludes vehicles on essential duty such as Fire Service, ambulances and vehicles used by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement/security agencies,” the statement said.

The PPRO, however, assured FCT residents that the command has strategically deployed its personnel, who have been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act, and logistics to achieve conducive election atmosphere, noting that “residents are therefore enjoined to be vigilant and cooperate with the Police and other security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities.”

In a related development, Alhaji Nasiru Ayilara, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of the rerun election to fill the vacant seat of Ife Central State Constituency in Osun State, has announced that there would be restriction of movement in the local government between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. He assured the 817 INEC ad-hoc staff of their safety, saying: “Due to the political nature of the local government area, the commission has fashioned out security measures that would guarantee the safety of both INEC officials and the electorates. We had met with all the security agencies in the state and they have assured the commission of safety of both electoral officials and the voters.”

Speaking with newsmen yesterday, he said INEC was ready to conduct a free and credible election to fill the seat which became vacant as a result of the sudden death, in December last year, of Mr. Dejo Makinde, who was elected during the March 28, 2015 general election.

Alhaji Ayilara said it expected a total of 622,393 eligible voters to participate in the poll.

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