As the Edo State gubernatorial election holds today Saturday, residents in Edo have been directed
by the Nigerian Police Force to
cast their votes and return to their homes.
The instruction was given by Frank Mba, the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) in charge of security for the election. He gave the directives during an interview on Channels Television on Friday.
Mba also added that only individuals accredited to monitor the election will be allowed on the streets.
As part of strategic measures put in place, MBA said there will be restrictions on vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm in the state, adding that police decided to listen to the citizens’ complaints by adjusting the curfew period.
In his words: “It is important for everybody to know that if you are not accredited to carry out the functions relating to the election, you shouldn’t be out on the streets,” Mba said.
“If you are not an accredited personnel, just go out there, perform your civil duty, cast your votes, and return to your home.”
Mba said sympathisers of political parties from other states are currently in Edo because the election is taking place in an off-cycle season.
“You understand that this is an off-cycle election; this is one of the challenges we have to deal with,” he added.
“This is something we need to deal with. Whenever there is an off-cycle election, it simply means that there are a lot of spare hands from other states of the federation, so you are going to have party members from all divides.
“If you look at it now, you are going to find sympathisers of all main political parties contesting this election.” MBA said.
The DIG said it is the responsibility of the police to provide security to everyone, including journalists, observers, and politicians, who are the state for the election.
On Saturday, residents in Edo will go to the polls to elect who succeeds Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, who is finishing his two-term term of eight years.
Although 17 political parties are participating in the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) are the major contenders.
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