The Nigeria Police Force has said only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is legitimately empowered to announce the outcome of the Ekiti State governorship poll, warning that any individual or group that attempts to release election results will face the full wrath of the law.
The warning was issued in Ado Ekiti on Friday by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Planning and Evaluation, Mr. Abayomi Sogunle, during a briefing on security preparations ahead of the crucial off-cycle governorship poll in the state.
According to Sogunle, security agencies have concluded extensive arrangements and plans to safeguard the electoral process and materials including providing protection for INEC personnel, National Youth Service Corps members serving as ad hoc election officials, and other key participants involved in the exercise.
He spoke further that as part of efforts to maintain peace and order, four police security operatives would be stationed at each polling unit across the state.
The deployment, he maintained is designed to deter electoral misconduct and ensure voters cast their ballots in a secure environment.
The commissioner who also assured political parties and contestants that security agencies would remain impartial throughout the election, stressed that the police and their partners are committed to guaranteeing a transparent process and urged residents to promptly report incidents of vote-buying and other electoral violations.
Addressing concerns over movement restrictions during the election, Sogunle clarified that candidates sitting for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), accredited journalists, and other authorized election stakeholders would be exempted and allowed unhindered movement while carrying out their responsibilities.
He called on residents voters to comport themselves during and after the election to enhance hitch free governorship poll