Elections: Movement restriction in Kano

Chairman of Kano State Security Committee on the 2015 general elections, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on Tuesday declared that all roads leading into Kano would be blocked by midnight on Friday, just as inter-Local Government movements within the state will also be barred in tune with guidelines to promote peaceful and rancour-free elections.
Idris, who is also the state Commissioner of Police, flanked by all security chiefs in the state, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Abdullahi Mukaila, told newsmen that voters were also expected to stay 300 metres away from polling units as prescribed by the electoral law.
According to him, fuel hawkers are expected to leave the streets 24 hours to the election, adding: “Road side hawking of fuel and gasoline would not be allowed a day before the election, day and two days after the election.”
He further stated that “no state government security agencies such as Hisbah, KAROTA, Vigilante, boys scout, man-o-war, to mention but a few will be allowed to dress in uniform or be engaged on any activity in uniform on election day.
“No vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles or persons will be allowed to carry political party symbols or banners on the Election Day. No person will be allowed to carry any bag, boxes or suspicious items close to any polling station and collation centres.
“Carrying offensive weapons/items such as arms and ammunition, stones, knives, cutlasses, bows, axes and arrows will not be allowed on the election day.”
The Committee Chairman further noted that public figures will not be allowed to move around polling stations with security aides, “everyone is only to go and vote, if desire, stay about 300 metres away from polling stations and return back to their residences.
“After voting, no one is allowed at any collation centres at Local Government Areas and state levels. Only election officials, accredited election observers, journalists and party agents will be allowed to cover election activities at collation centres.
“Only accredited security agencies, observers and journalists will be allowed to move freely on Election Day. The Joint Operation Centre for all security agencies will be activated on Friday 27/03/2015 to monitor the two elections. The centre would receive complaints and observations from members of public and other relevant information through the following dedicated numbers: 08148888887, 08029292926 and 08099999110.
“In addition, Police Control Room Emergency lines are always available for any form of emergency or distress or information to the police on the following dedicated lines: 08032419754, 08123821575, 08075391163,” he stated.