Residents across Enugu metropolis on Saturday largely complied with movement restrictions imposed for the ongoing Enugu State Local Government Election, leaving major roads quiet and many markets and shops closed.
Key Highlights
- Residents largely complied with movement restrictions across Enugu metropolis.
- Major roads saw limited traffic while markets and shops were closed.
- Security personnel were deployed at strategic locations.
- Police said the security situation was generally peaceful as voting continued.
- The police restriction runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the state government separately announced a vehicular movement restriction from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- ENSIEC is conducting elections for 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship positions.
Enugu Roads Quiet as Election Restrictions Take Effect
Most roads within Enugu metropolis were largely free of vehicular movement as residents complied with directives issued ahead of the local government election.
Markets, shops and other business premises were also closed in several parts of the state capital. Security personnel were seen at strategic locations, monitoring compliance and maintaining security around polling areas and major routes.
The state government announced a restriction on vehicular movement from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, while the police announced a restriction on human and vehicular movement from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A report on the separate state and police directives outlined the different start times.
Police Say Election Remains Peaceful
The Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said security agencies were committed to enforcing the movement restriction to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Ndukwe said security personnel had commenced strict enforcement of the directive and warned motorists and business operators against violating the order. He said the security situation remained generally peaceful while voting continued.
“So far, the security situation has been generally peaceful and the election process is ongoing smoothly as anticipated,” Ndukwe said.
He expressed hope that the peaceful situation would continue until voting concludes at 4 p.m.
Police Urge Residents to Remain Peaceful
The police spokesperson said residents had largely complied with the movement restriction across the state. He urged voters and other residents to remain calm, vote peacefully and maintain order throughout the election.
“We call on all in the state to be calm, cast their votes peacefully and maintain decorum throughout the process,” Ndukwe said.
The police directive exempts people performing essential duties and duly accredited election officials.
Enugu LG Election Holds Across 17 LGAs
The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) is conducting elections for 17 chairmanship positions and 260 ward councillorship positions across the state. Seven political parties that signed a peace pact ahead of the election are participating.
The election is taking place amid heightened security arrangements, with authorities urging voters, political parties and other stakeholders to maintain peace and comply with electoral guidelines.
Read also:
- Enugu LG Election: Security Agencies Assure Residents of Peaceful, Hitch-Free Poll
- NSCDC Deploys 2,527 Personnel For Enugu LG Elections
Security agencies said the movement restriction would remain in force until 4 p.m. Follow us on X for election updates.
By Kenneth Onyekwere
