By USMAN AALIY

The Police command in Edo says it has concluded security arrangements for Saturday’s local government election, deploying personnel and operational assets across the state’s 18 local government areas.

The command said the deployment is aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure and credible conduct of the election

The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, in Benin.

Agbonika said security personnel had been deployed to polling units, collation centres, critical national infrastructure and other strategic locations across the state.

He directed officers to maintain professionalism, impartiality and intelligence-led policing throughout the electoral process.

According to him, the command will work closely with other security agencies to maintain law and order before, during and after the election.

The police commissioner assured eligible voters of adequate security and urged them to come out peacefully to exercise their civic responsibility without fear of intimidation or harassment.

He also advised residents to conduct themselves peacefully by obeying lawful directives issued by security personnel and electoral officials, and avoiding acts capable of disrupting the electoral process.

Agbonika called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws governing elections.

He warned that the command would not tolerate violence, thuggery, vote buying, voter intimidation, destruction of electoral materials, unlawful possession of firearms or any other form of electoral malpractice.

“Anyone found violating the law will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” he said.

The commissioner also urged parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against allowing themselves to be used by politicians to foment violence or disrupt the election.

He encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities or security concerns to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines. (NAN)