The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, on Wednesday disclosed that no fewer than 4,300 policemen would be deployed for Saturday, January 13, 2018 senatorial election in the state.

Addressing journalists in his Amawbia office, Umar said that out of the number, three policemen each would be picked to take charge of the one thousand, four hundred and forty eight polling units in the seven local government area slated for the poll.

He called on any group planning to foment trouble during the cause of the election to bury such thought saying that the arm of the law will not be far from any trouble maker.

According to the CP, movement would be restricted in the affected seven local government areas.

He reeled out the seven local governments to include Awka south, Awka North, Njikoka, Dunukofia, Anaocha, Idemili North and South.

His statement reads in part: “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the Anambra State Central Senatorial election is scheduled to take place on the 13th January, 2018 at 109 wards of the seven LGAs of the state.

“Based on the above, the command wishes to inform the public that there will be restriction of movement within the affected local government areas.”

Umar further said that traffic wardens would be on hand to direct road users on alternate routes saying that the police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaigns and voting on 13th January, 2018 are conducted smoothly without public disturbance.

While assuring all political parties, candidates, supporters, including the general public of their safety throughout the period of voting and collation, the CP urged the people of the affected areas to cooperate by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to have a hitch-free poll.

He added: “Anambra State is known for peaceful conduct of elections; I urge residents to be peaceful and orderly on the Election Day.”

Reacting to a Federal High Court judgement that pronounced Chief Obiora Okonkwo the senator of the district, the CP said that nobody has served the police with any court order stopping the election.

He explained that is not the responsibility of the police to conduct elections but INEC adding that the commission has asked the command to assist them in the conduct of the January 13 election and “we shall do”.

“If anybody foments any trouble during the election, we shall decisively deal with such person or persons, no matter how highly placed,” Umar said.

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