The Nigeria Police have warned that anyone who announces the result of the Ekiti State governorship election without authorization from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will be arrested and prosecuted.
Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Planning and Evaluation, Mr Abayomi Sogunle, gave the warning at a news briefing in Ado Ekiti.
Mr Sogunle said adequate security arrangements had been made to protect INEC permanent and ad hoc staff, members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and other critical personnel involved in the election.
He explained that four security operatives would be deployed to each polling unit to maintain law and order throughout the exercise.
The Commissioner of Police assured political parties of a level playing field and reaffirmed the commitment of the police and other security agencies to neutrality during the poll.
He urged members of the public to report incidents of vote-buying and other electoral offences to security agencies.
On movement restrictions, Mr Sogunle said candidates sitting for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, SSCE, journalists and other accredited election stakeholders would be allowed to move freely without harassment.
He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to continue supporting security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
The Commissioner of Police also advised residents to call 08062335577 in the event of any emergency.
