Police in Ondo State said on Friday that security personnel have been deployed to Akoko, North East and North West, ahead of the House of Representatives bye-election in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmi Odunlami, who disclosed this in a statement signed by her, assured that the Saturday, February 3, 2024, re-run election in the state will
Odunlami said there will be restrictions on movement in the two local government areas where the election will take place between midnight and 6 p.m. on Saturday, except for those on essential duties.
The statement read: “The Ondo State Police Command has deployed personnel for the upcoming bye-elections slated for tomorrow, Saturday, February 3, 2024.
“There is a restriction on both human and vehicular movements in the two local government areas where the bye-elections will take place from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for those on special duty, medics, and all other relevant organisations that are involved in the election, save for emergencies.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has also ordered that all security aides to VIPs not accompany their principals to polling booths or collation centres during the election.
“Also, state-owned security and private security outfits are banned from participating in the election, as adequate provisions have been made to ensure a free and fair election without disenfranchising legible voters from carrying out their civic duty.
“Finally, the command is using this medium to warn all contestants and their supporters to maintain law and order and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, while parents and guardians are to warn their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used as a tool of disruption or political thuggery, as anyone caught in the web of such will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
She urged the public to call any of the phone numbers in case of emergency, which include 07034313903 and 08037253141, saying all the numbers are open to complaints and emergencies during the election.