ANAMBRA SENATORIAL RERUN: Police assures of violent free poll, deploys 4,300 men

To ensure a violence free poll, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar, has announced the deployment of no less than 4,300 policemen for the coming Saturday Anambra Central Senatorial district rerun election.

The state police commissioner made the disclosure on Wednesday at a press conference in Amawbia, assuring that three policemen would man each of the 1,448 polling units in the seven local government areas participating in the election.

He added, that movement would be restricted in the seven LGAs, Umar warned any one or group intending to provoke violence during the poll to have a rethink or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the Anambra State Central Senatorial election is scheduled to take place on the 13th January, 2018 at 109 wards of the seven LGAs of the state.

“Based on the above, the command wishes to inform the public that there will be restriction of movement within the affected local government areas,” the statement stated in part.

The LGAs participating in the elections are Awka North, Awka South, Dunukofia, Njikoka, Idemili North, Idemili South and Anaocha.

“The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering and voting on 13th January, 2018 are conducted smoothly without public disturbance; and assure all political parties, candidates, supporters, including the general public of their safety throughout the period of voting and collation.

“Anambra State is known for peaceful conduct of elections; I urge residents to be peaceful and orderly on the Election Day,” Umar added.

READ ALSO: Court to decide fate of Anambra Central rerun Jan 12

Commenting on the Federal High Court judgment on December 13 which pronounced Chief Obiora Okonkwo the senator of the district, Umar explained that “nobody has served us with any court order stopping the election.

“Besides, police don’t conduct elections. INEC conducts elections and the commission has informed us that we should assist them to conduct the January 13 election and we shall do. If anybody foments any trouble during the election, we shall decisively deal with such person or persons, no matter how highly placed.”

 

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