LG Polls: CP Kanayo warns against electoral violence and acts of crime

By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has slated the Local Government Council Elections for Saturday, September 21, 2024, across all the pulling units, wards, and local government areas of the state. Consequently, the Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deployment of all the personnel and operational resources of the State Command for seamless election security management.

Additionally, human and vehicular movements have been restricted from 12:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the election day, except for those providing medical and fire services, authorized media practitioners, election officials, and accredited observers. Armed security agents on VIP protection duties have also been restricted from escorting VIPs to the polling boots.

CP Kanayo emphasises that the election’s security management will be jointly executed by all the security agencies in the state, warning that electoral violence of any kind will not be tolerated before, during, and beyond the elections. He, therefore, cautions political parties and their stalwarts to conduct themselves orderly and in line with the election guidelines provided by the ENSIEC.

Furthermore, the CP warns unrepentant criminal elements that may want to foment trouble during the elections to steer clear, as the security forces are geared up to deal decisively with such criminals and their activities. Moreover, he cautions parents and guardians to dissuade their children and wards from being used as thugs to disrupt the elections, as anyone caught will be made to face the full weight of the law.

Meanwhile, the electorate has been advised to go out in their numbers to exercise their franchise, ensure orderly conduct, and promptly report any criminal acts or electoral infractions to the nearest police station or security agents.