…’Election to test Nigeria’s democracy’ – INEC
As the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), makes final preparations, holding parleys with stakeholders and the security personnel and distributing permanent voters cards, the government has also declared two days of public holiday to enable high voter turnout.
This is amid the prior order by the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), asking people to stay at home as from Friday, including the election day, on November 6.
The group, which maintains a religious following in the region, ordered the sit-at-home to force the Buhari government to release its leader Nnamdi Kanu.
Meanwhile, the State government has declared today, Thursday, Nov. 4 and Friday, Nov. 5 as work-free days ahead of the election.
According to the State’s Head of Service, Harry Udu, Gov. Willie Obiano approved the two work-free days. Udu said the work-free days will enable residents to move to the locations where they registered as voters.
Similarly, the State’s Police Command assured that there would be a total lockdown from today, Thursday, to enable the Police to take control of the space and deal with situations promptly.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, said top-notch measures had been put in place to ensure maximum security of life and property.
DSP Nkeiruka Nwode, Zone 13 PPRO and Head, Media for Anambra governorship election, who disclosed this in a statement, said Police assets and personnel posted from various Commands and formations had started arriving.
A total of 34,000 and 20,000 personnel were deployed for the election by the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), respectively.
