IG OF POLICE ANNOUNCE MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS ON ELECTION DAY

Usman Baba

On election day, from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m., all vehicular traffic on roads, waterways, and other modes of transportation is to be prohibited, according to Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba.

With the exception of those providing necessary services, such as INEC officials, election observers, ambulances that respond to medical emergencies, and firefighters, for example. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force's public relations officer, stated this in a statement on Wednesday night.

Adejobi said, "Consequent to the first part of the 2023 general elections, the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, across all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, the IG, Usman Baba has ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on election day with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc."

The directive is one of the steps taken, according to the NPF spokeswoman, to provide a safe, secure, and favorable atmosphere for the holding of elections. He pointed out that it is intended to maintain public order, ensure voter safety, and support the security forces in effective policing, preventing hoodlums and other criminally inclined individuals from interfering with the election.

Adejobi said, "Similarly, the IG sternly warns all security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election as anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned.

"He emphasises that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres.