The Enugu State Government and the state Police Command have announced restrictions on vehicular and human movement across the state on Saturday, September 26, ahead of the local government elections.
The election, organised by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, will see voters elect chairmen for the 17 local government councils and councillors representing the 260 wards across the state.
The poll will be the first local government election conducted by ENSIEC since September 21, 2024, when the ruling Peoples Democratic Party won all 17 chairmanship positions and the 260 councillorship seats.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, said movement would be restricted from 6am to 4pm on election day.
The statement read, “The Government of Enugu State hereby announces a restriction of vehicular movement and other forms of transportation across the State from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026.”
According to the government, the restriction was introduced to promote a peaceful, orderly and secure electoral process.
It exempted ENSIEC officials, accredited election personnel, security operatives deployed for the poll, accredited observers, authorised media practitioners, health workers, ambulances, firefighters and others carrying out essential election or emergency duties.
The government urged residents, political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to obey the directive and maintain peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.
It added, “Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of this directive and to maintain law and order throughout the elections.”
The government also appealed to residents to cooperate with the authorities, acknowledging the temporary inconvenience the restriction might cause.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command announced a separate restriction on human and vehicular movement from 8am to 4pm on Saturday.
The police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, directed that the restriction should not affect people performing essential duties or duly accredited election officials.
Giwa also prohibited quasi-security outfits from participating in election security operations and directed armed personnel attached to VIP escort duties not to accompany their principals to polling units.
The police commissioner assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the election, in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging eligible voters to come out and exercise their franchise.
He warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against electoral malpractice and other actions capable of disrupting the election, saying offenders would face the full weight of the law.
“The electorate and the public are urged to promptly report suspicious persons and activities capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the elections to the nearest Police Station or call 08032003702, 08086671202 or 08021709005,” he stated.
