Rivers Police Command on Wednesday announced restriction of movement from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 19 for re-run legislative elections in the state.

DSP Ahmad Muhammad, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, made the announcement in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

The statement said the decision was taken after due consultations with relevant stakeholders superintending the elections.

It said that the ban which would take effect from March 18 to March 20, would affect tricycles, motorcycles and engine speed boat with capacity of 200 horse power and above

“The Command further emphasises that Very Important Personalities are barred from going to any voting centre with their security escorts except for their unarmed orderly only.

“They are also to desist from moving about from one place to another on Election Day as provided by the electoral Act,” it said.

According to the statement, monitoring teams will be going around to ensure strict compliance and arrest security men accompanying any dignitary in such unauthorised manner.

As the police were restricting movement, Governor Nyesom Wike in a broadcast to the people of the state, declared today and Friday public holiday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct elections for 22 of the 32 state House of Assembly seats, 12 of the 13 House of Representatives seats and the three Senatorial Districts on March 19.

The governor, who made the announcement in a state-wide broadcast on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, said the work-free days would enable workers in the public and private sectors participate in the elections.

“Consequently, all public and private offices, including banks must remain closed for the duration of the holidays,” he said.

He urged the people to cast their ballots for candidates that would stand for their rights and promote their collective interests in the National Assembly.

“You will also be electing worthy representatives to the State House of Assembly to join me to deliver our developmental agenda and help chart the future of our state through effective legislation and oversight,” he said.

Wike said that the state government had requested the armed forces to increase security surveillance in nine local government areas identified as flash points of cultism and banditry.

He said that the LGAs are: Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West, Emohua, Ikwerre, Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

He said that the security agencies had assured that they would not deviate from their role of safeguarding law and order before, during and after the elections.

“The Nigeria Police and other security agencies have put adequate measures to keep the peace and ensure an orderly conduct of the re-run elections throughout the state,” he said.