The Edo State Police Command has announced a statewide restriction of movement ahead of Saturday's local government council elections as part of measures to ensure a peaceful, orderly and secure electoral process.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said movement across the state would be restricted from 12:00 a.m. on Friday night to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

According to the statement, the restriction is one of several security measures adopted by the command in collaboration with other security agencies to guarantee a peaceful election, protect voters, electoral officials and sensitive materials, and prevent any breakdown of law and order.

The command said all vehicular and pedestrian movement would be prohibited during the restriction period, except for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited election observers, accredited media personnel, security agencies, emergency responders and other essential service providers on election duties.

"The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that there will be restriction of movement throughout Edo State from 12:00 midnight Friday to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, 11th July, 2026, to ensure the peaceful, orderly and secure conduct of the Local Government Council Elections," the statement said.

The police urged residents to comply fully with the directive, noting that security personnel had been strategically deployed across the state's 18 local government areas to enforce the restriction and maintain law and order throughout the election.

It also warned that anyone found violating the movement restriction or engaging in acts capable of disrupting the electoral process would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to safeguard the election and protect lives and property.

He encouraged eligible voters to come out peacefully and exercise their civic responsibility in line with the guidelines issued by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), reaffirming the command's commitment to ensuring a free, fair, peaceful and credible local government election.