Ekiti State Police Command has announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement ahead of the 2026 governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.
According to the command, the restriction will take effect from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day and will apply to both inter-state and intra-state movements across Ekiti State.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the command said the measure forms part of efforts to ensure a peaceful, secure and violence-free election.
“The restriction takes effect from 12:00am to 6.00pm on the day of election, and shall affect all roads within the state and inter-state highways. This standard measure is part of the comprehensive security arrangements aimed at ensuring a violence-free election,” the statement said.
The police, however, clarified that students and candidates sitting for national examinations on the same day would not be affected by the restriction and should proceed to their examination centres as scheduled.
Authorities explained that the temporary ban on movement is intended to prevent the activities of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
The restriction covers all forms of motorised transportation, including private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles.
The command advised travellers intending to pass through Ekiti State during the election period to make alternative travel arrangements.
Despite the restriction, several categories of individuals have been exempted. These include designated Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and ad-hoc staff, accredited journalists, election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and providers of essential services.
The police noted that exempted persons must carry valid identification cards and clearance tags. Emergency medical movements will also be permitted throughout the restriction period.
The statement further warned that the movement of VIPs accompanied by armed escorts or security aides to polling units and collation centres would not be allowed.
It also prohibited quasi-security outfits, vigilante groups and volunteer security organisations from providing security services at polling units and collation centres during the election.
In addition, construction firms carrying out road projects across the state have been directed to suspend active construction work on election day.
“Due to safety reasons, this notice also serves as a binding advice on construction companies to pause all forms of actual road work construction during the stated period,” the police stated.
The command added that only officers and personnel of recognised security agencies, including members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), would be authorised to provide security around election facilities.
Calling on residents to cooperate with security agencies, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Ekiti State Governorship Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, urged eligible voters to participate peacefully in the exercise.
“The CP is again assuring all residents and stakeholders of the Nigeria Police unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property before, during, and after the election,” the statement added.
Residents were also encouraged to report suspicious movements or security concerns to the nearest police station or call the police emergency line on 08062335577.
The police expressed confidence that the security measures put in place would help create a peaceful environment for voters to freely exercise their democratic rights during the governorship election.