FCT Poll: Police roll back movement restrictions, identify 13 hotspots

The FCT Police Command has rescinded the movement restrictions it imposed on Abuja residents during the regional council election held today.

Command spokesperson Josephine Adeh said: “Members of the public are advised to go about their normal lawful business without fear of harassment or assault of any kind, from anywhere.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Police Command, CP Babaji Sunday, while assuring members of the public of watertight security before, during and after the election, urges them to come out in their numbers to vote for the candidates of their country.

“It also calls on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal events to the police via the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.”

The police command announced a few days ago that, for security reasons, it would impose traffic restrictions on polling day.

In related news, police have identified 13 hotspots in today's municipal elections.

They include Karshi, Deidei, Zuma Rock, Kabusa, Gishiri, Abaji Nebu, Yangoji, Yaba, Kwali Kwaita, Mate, Azam, Kuje Pegi and Bwari.

A civil society organization, the Center for Transparency and Advocacy (CTA), has therefore urged security agencies to strengthen security in these areas to ensure that voters exercise their right to vote peacefully.

The council election, supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will take place at polling stations in the six regional councils to fill empty seats in 68 constituencies, including six presidencies and 62 councils.

Fourteen political parties, which will present candidates for these places, would seek the votes of 1,373,492 registered voters in the FCT.

Ahead of the elections, Yiaga Africa urged security agencies to be on alert to prevent any attempt to circumvent the exercise by malicious and violent elements.

The Executive Director of YIAGA, Samson Itodo, who made the call yesterday during a community sensitization at Kuje Market in Abuja, urged security agencies to collaborate with INEC to secure election materials, staff and voters .

According to Itodo, the role of security agencies must also include providing support where necessary for the rapid deployment of election equipment and personnel.

The director called on all political parties competing to respect the rules governing the conduct of elections. “Parties must urge their supporters to refrain from any act that could compromise the process or disturb public order. »

He called on voters to turn out in large numbers to the polls and respect electoral guidelines.

YIAGA Program Director, Cynthia Mbamalu, regretted that the administration and management of local government as the third tier of government in Nigeria has consistently fallen below the expected standards of democratic leadership.

According to Mbamalu, this development is further made possible by the absence of credible and transparent elections at the local level in the states.

“For a level of government established to be closest to the people, it has become a level of government largely inaccessible to the people and incapable of ensuring democratic governance at the local level.

“As the nation awaits the amendment of the constitution to ensure local government autonomy, regular elections at the local level provide an opportunity to entrench democracy.”