TheCable

The Lagos government has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Saturday, July 22, when elections will hold across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas of the state.

In a statement on Sunday, Steve Ayorinde, state commissioner for information and strategy, said the restriction will take effect between 8am and 2pm on election day.

According to him, the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.

Ayorinde urged residents to be peaceful and orderly.

“The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance,” the statement read.

“Every political party, candidates and their supporters and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.

“However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.”

The release also quoted Akinwunmi Ambode, the state governor, as urging Lagosians to perform their civic obligations by trooping out with their permanent voters card (PVC) “to once again demonstrate their belief in the tenets of participatory democracy and the importance of development at the local government level”.