LG Poll; Delta Gov Tasks DSIEC On Free, Credible Election As Police Announces Movement Restrictions
Governor Sheriff Oborevwuri of Delta State has tasked the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC to ensure free, fair, and credible local government elections taking place tomorrow across the 25 local government areas of the state.
The governor who spoke in Asaba at the grand finale of the People Democratic Party PDP campaign tour ahead of the election said the government has created a level playing ground for all political parties in the election to compete without undue stress or intimidation.
He urged DSIEC boss Dr. Jerry Agbaike to work towards ensuring hitch-free elections in tandem with globally acceptable standards with a view of sustaining the prevailing peace and harmony in the state.
Meanwhile, the Delta police command has ordered a massive deployment of personnel to ensure a hitch-free local government election slated for Saturday.
The police commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda, stated this in a statement by the command spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, on Thursday.
Mr Abaniwonda said that vehicular movement would be restricted between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm on Saturday.
He however explained that those on special duties and students writing the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) are exempted from the restriction.
According to the statement; “Ahead of the upcoming local government elections slated for July 13 in Delta, the commissioner of police has ordered a massive deployment of personnel to ensure hitch-free elections.
“The command, in synergy with other sister agencies, has been deployed massively to all polling units, RACs, collation centers, and offices of the Delta Independent Electoral Commission to protect officials.”
The statement added, “The Marine Police have equally been deployed to the waterways to ensure the areas are peaceful during the election. Only officials on essential duties which included the accredited election monitors and observers and students writing the NABTEB will be allowed movement.
“The ban on VIP escorts during the election will also be enforced. They should not move with their security details on election day. Any officer found wanting will be arrested and sanctioned accordingly.”
He cautioned vigilantes, anti-cult volunteers, and hunters to steer clear of the polling units, saying that anyone caught meddling with the election processes would be decisively dealt with.
The police boss implored residents to be law-abiding as the outcome of the election would to a larger extent depend on how the electorate behaves.
He assured that the command would not compromise on its primary responsibility of guaranteeing the protection of life and property before, during, and after the elections.
