By Law Ibitoye
As Ekiti State prepares for Saturday’s governorship election, the Nigeria Police Force has moved to calm fears among residents, assuring voters of adequate security and urging them to participate in the electoral process without intimidation or apprehension.
Speaking during a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation for Election Security, CP Abayomi Shogunle, said comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free election across the state.
Shogunle disclosed that sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had been safely distributed to all 16 local government areas, with security personnel deployed to safeguard the materials throughout the electoral process.
According to him, police officers will escort election materials from local government headquarters to Registration Area Centres (RACs) and subsequently to polling units before voting commences.
The police commissioner explained that the security architecture approved by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was designed to provide a secure environment for voters, electoral officials, observers and journalists.
He noted that security operatives have already secured boundary communities, major highways and forest areas bordering neighbouring states to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the state during the election.
To further boost public confidence, Shogunle revealed that specialised units, including counter-terrorism operatives and personnel from the Special Intervention Squad, had been deployed to strategic locations across Ekiti State.
He added that every polling unit would have a visible security presence, comprising at least three police officers and an officer from another security agency, to ensure order and rapid response to any security concerns.
“We want residents to come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear. The police and other security agencies are fully prepared to protect voters and maintain peace throughout the election,” he said.
Shogunle also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, reiterating the police slogan, “If you see something, say something.” He announced that the Ekiti State Police Command Control Room would operate round the clock during the election and urged residents to use the emergency line, 08062335577, whenever necessary.
While warning against electoral offences such as vote buying and ballot snatching, he assured residents that the police would remain professional and neutral throughout the exercise.
The commissioner further dismissed concerns that adverse weather conditions could disrupt the election, stating that alternative transportation arrangements had been made for difficult-to-access locations, while technology would be deployed to support election monitoring.
He also clarified that candidates sitting for scheduled examinations would be exempted from the restriction on the vehicular movement and reminded eligible voters to come along with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to participate in the election.