Elections: We will arrest anyone who violates movement – A’Ibom CP

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner For Police, Mr. Gabriel Achong, has said that anyone caught violating the restriction of movement order between 8am-5pm on Saturday would be arrested and prevented from voting.

Achong who spoke at a press briefing in Uyo on Friday, said security agents would arrest anyone, group or persons moving in vehicles from one polling booth to the other while the voting exercise is on.

He said,”I have 25 striking units that have been placed strategically at some polling units especially those in inter routes where we suspect that there may be violence. Any person or group of people moving around in vehicles from one polling unit to the other will be arrested and prevented from voting.

“I Am warning the two political parties especially , the APC and the PDP who, going by their recent activities, may plan to move some people around. I will not tolerate misconduct. I still have some political miscreants who were arrested by my men on Wednesday who are still cooling off in my cell.”

Meanwhile the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr.Austin Okojie, has said that all electoral materials have been deployed to the 2,980 polling units in the 31 local governments in the state.

Okojie stated that nine boats have also been prepared for the movement of INEC officers and electoral materials to the riverine areas.

He said, “We have five boats in Ekot Abassey and we have partnered with the Navy and we have hired four more boats. The headquarters has given enough money for us to buy if need be. Every area will be covered as materials are on ground.

Okojie also denied allegations levied against him by the All Progressive Party that he was working with the PDP to frustrate voting exercise in these state.

“Any body or part saying that is being subjective. INEC is an independent body. The INEC chairman on several occasion has had differences with the Federal Government and he was not removed.

“We operate unilaterally and anybody watching the recent events at the federal level will know we are independent,” he added.