The Ekiti State Police Command has announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
According to the statement, the restriction will be in effect from midnight (12:00 a.m.) until 6:00 p.m. on election day and will apply to both intra-state and inter-state routes across the state.
Abutu explained that the measure forms part of broader security arrangements designed to ensure a peaceful, orderly and violence-free electoral process.
The restriction covers all categories of motorised transportation, including private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles.
However, students and candidates participating in national examinations and assessments on the same day will be exempted and allowed access to their examination centres.
“Travellers intending to pass through the state on election day are therefore advised to make alternative arrangements and use other routes.
“Accredited officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ad hoc staff, journalists, election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders, and other essential service providers will, however, be permitted to move during the restriction period, provided they carry valid identification and clearance tags.”
The police also prohibited the movement of VIPs accompanied by armed escorts to polling units and collation centres.
“Vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits, and volunteer groups are also prohibited from providing security services during the election.
Construction firms handling road projects in the state have been advised to suspend operations throughout the election period for safety reasons.
Abutu added that only personnel from recognised security agencies and organisations operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) would be authorised to provide security at polling units, collation centres and other election-related facilities.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti Governorship Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, as encouraging eligible voters to participate peacefully in the exercise while assuring residents of adequate security before, during and after the poll.
Shogunle also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency or through the police emergency line, 08062335577.