The Kano State Police Command has announced a restriction of movement in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area ahead of Saturday’s by-election for the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency.

The restriction will take effect from 12:00 am to 5:00 pm on September 19, according to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna.

The command said only people performing essential duties and carrying valid identification would be permitted to move within the area during the restriction.

Those exempted include officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited election observers, medical personnel, firefighters and accredited journalists.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, warned that anyone who violated the movement restriction or electoral guidelines would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The command also directed that security aides and escorts attached to VIPs, political office holders and government officials must not accompany their principals to polling units or collation centres.

It further prohibited quasi-security organisations, vigilante groups and voluntary organisations from taking part in election security arrangements or loitering around polling units.

The police said carrying firearms or other dangerous weapons within or around election venues would not be allowed. Vote-buying, vote-selling and political canvassing around polling units were also prohibited.

Only accredited INEC officials, security personnel, election observers and journalists will be allowed access to polling units and collation centres.

The command urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to comply with the Electoral Act 2022, as amended, and conduct themselves peacefully.

It said personnel and operational assets had been deployed to polling units, Registration Area Centres, collation centres and identified flashpoints across the local government.

The police also appealed to parents and guardians to discourage young people from being recruited as political thugs before, during or after the election.