About 4,300 police officers have been deployed for the Saturday’s Anambra central district rerun election.
This was disclosed by the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr. Garba Umar, during a press conference in Amawbia.
According to him, there are 1,448 polling units and at least three policemen will man each unit in the local governments involved.
The commissioner sent stern warning to any group nursing any idea that will be contrary to a peaceful exercise to reconsider such ideas or face the wrath of the law.
He equally maintained that there will be restriction of movements in the LGAs involved which he listed to include Awka North, Awka South, Dunukofia, Njikoka, Idemili North, Idemili South and Anaocha.
Part of the statement read, “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 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”.
Reminded of a Federal High Court judgment on December 13 which pronounced Chief Obiora Okonkwo the senator of the district, Umar said, “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.”
