Kano Holds Assembly By-Election Today

The Kano State Police Command has announced an 18-hour restriction of movement in Kano Municipal and Ungogo local government areas ahead of today’s State Assembly by-elections.

The restriction, covering motor vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles, takes effect from 12am to 6pm.

The decision followed a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), chaired by the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amb Zango Abdu, and co-chaired by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the command said the restriction was part of measures to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible electoral process.

According to the statement, only vehicles on essential duties, including ambulances, fire service trucks, and those conveying electoral officials and accredited observers, will be exempted.

The command added that only eligible voters and accredited party agents identified by INEC would be allowed at polling units, warning that weapons, political party insignia and loitering around polling centres would not be tolerated.

State-backed security outfits such as vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch members, Hisbah and KAROTA personnel were also barred from operating at polling units.

The police assured residents of adequate security and urged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies throughout the exercise.