Kano bye-election: Police restrict movement in Municipal, Ungoggo LGAs

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano state Police Command has announced restrictions of persons and vehicular movement from 12 am on Friday in preparation for bye-election in Municipal and Ungoggo Local Government areas.
PEOPLES DAILY reports that the by-elections were necessitated by the death of the two lawmakers representing the constituencies, creating vacancies in the state legislature.
Addressing journalists immediately after a strategic Inter-agency Committee on Election meeting at the Command’s headquarters on Thursday, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, stated that the movement had been restricted from 12 am on Friday until the time of the conclusion of the election exercise.
He noted that the restriction is to enable peaceful, credible and transparent election exercise.
He also explained that the restriction is aimed at ensuring smooth conduct of the electoral process and preventing the movement of unauthorized persons and materials during voting hours
The CP warned that “anybody that is not from the two constituencies should stay clear of the areas as Police will not condom any attempt to disrupt the process that is well planned”.
He said a joint security arrangement involving the police and other security agencies has been put in place to guarantee a peaceful and credible exercise.
According to him, adequate personnel have been deployed across polling units, collation centres and other critical points within the two local government areas to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“We are fully prepared to provide adequate security before, during and after the elections,” the Commissioner said.
“Security agencies will not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the polls,” the CP warned.
On its part, the INEC assured the residents of its preparedness for the exercise.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano State, Ambassador Abdu Zango, commended the security agencies for their collaboration and proactive measures.
Ambassador Zango confirmed that the commission had completed the deployment of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the affected areas.
He expressed confidence that the logistical arrangements put in place would ensure a seamless voting process.
“We have concluded all necessary preparations for the by-elections,” he said. “All sensitive and non-sensitive materials have been distributed as required, and our staff are ready to carry out their duties.”
The REC urged eligible voters in Kano Municipal and Ungogo to come out peacefully to exercise their civic responsibility. He assured them that adequate security would be provided to safeguard voters, election officials and observers.
Residents and stakeholders have been advised to comply with the movement restrictions and cooperate with security personnel to ensure a credible, transparent and violence-free electoral process.