Movement restricted as local government election commences in Lagos

Movement across Lagos State has been officially restricted from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. today, Saturday, as the state conducts its local government elections.

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The revised restriction order was announced earlier on Thursday by the Lagos State Police Command through a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

The new directive aims to allow flexibility for residents with medical emergencies, scheduled appointments, or international travel plans.

Movement is restricted across 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.

Only essential workers, including emergency personnel, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) officials, election observers, and journalists with valid accreditation, are permitted to move around during this period.

The statement also bans the use of armed escorts, vehicles with covered plates, sirens, and quasi-security or state agency vehicles unless they are accredited by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

Delays, observations in polling units

As of 9:00 a.m., party agents were just beginning to arrive to set up polling units in Ojodu Berger under Ikeja LGA. Many voters who arrived early were seen waiting, while some left to return later.

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At Ojodu Berger, where there are at least four polling units, the security presence is visibly tight and police officers are actively enforcing the movement restriction and maintaining order around the polling areas.

A party agent at one of the polling units, who declined to be named until voting officially commenced, said he is hopeful that the turnout would be encouraging.

“People really want to come out,” he said.

“We came early just so we can vote as expected but the late commencement is quite discouraging. My neighbours have left, some promised to come back to vote,” Matthew Adeolu, one of the resident said.

According to LASIEC, 139 candidates from 10 political parties are contesting for chairmanship positions in 57 local government areas and local council development areas.

READ ALSO: Lagos Assembly debates bill to regulate house rents, agents, others

In addition, 842 councillorship candidates from 14 political parties are vying for seats in the 376 wards across the state.

Out of 19 political parties that showed interest in the election, LASIEC revealed that 15 submitted their candidate lists.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is the only party fielding candidates in all 57 councils and 376 wards, making it the most represented.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is contesting in 45 councils and 259 wards, while the Labour Party is fielding 22 chairmanship and 130 councillorship candidates. The Zenith Labour Party has six chairmanship and 21 councillor candidates.

Other parties with candidates include Accord, African Action Congress (AAC), Action Alliance (AA), Allied People’s Movement (APM), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Youth Party (YP), Action Peoples Party (APP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).