Guber Poll: IGP imposes movement restrictions on Anambra

…as Obiano declares Thursday, Friday public holidays

Ahead of Saturday’s Anambra State governorship poll, the Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has imposed movement restrictions in and out of the state. Meanwhile, over 30 armoured personnel carriers are strategically stationed at the boundaries between Anambra and Imo states; Anambra and Enugu states; and Anambra and Delta states. Similarly, over 63 units of Mobile Police Force are on patrol in the state, bringing the number of police on the ground to 3, 970. According to the IGP, the use of politically- branded vehicles, dresses and any material denoting campaign are not allowed at the polling stations .

He further warned that the joint security operations would not take kindly to the activities of those who do not want the election to hold, adding that the activities of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) would be checked. Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu said the sensitive materials for the election had been taken to the Awka branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that adequate preparations had been made ahead of the election. He said “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) has just briefed us on our detailed preparations for the election, including logistics and the recruitment, training and deployment of election duty staff. Non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 21 local government areas of the state. The sensitive materials are secure in the branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) here in Awka.

As is always the case on the eve of major elections, INEC will invite parties, civil society organisations and the media to the CBN on Thursday to inspect the sensitive materials and to witness their movement to the various LGAs under escort. By the same arrangement, the materials will be delivered to the Registration Areas or Wards on Friday to facilitate the opening of polling units at 8.30am on Election Day. Meanwhile, Governor Willie Obiano has declared Thursday and Friday public holidays. Obiano made the declaration during his interactive session with Anambra workers, at the Udorji Secretariat, Awka.

He said the holiday was to enable workers travel to their various voting places ahead of the election. Obiano said, “Saturday is the election, I urge you to come out en masse to exercise your franchise. The state is safe in all ramifications. Cast your vote to continue enjoying the prompt payment of salary and other benefits.”

(New Telegraph)