Nigeria's southern state ready to conduct governorship poll amid tight security

All is now set for the rescheduled governorship election in southern Nigeria's Edo State on Wednesday, the police said Monday.

The West African country's police chief Ibrahim Idris has ordered restriction of movement during Wednesday's governorship election in the state.

He also ordered the activation of the revised operation plan for the election.

The operation plan, according to a police statement reaching Xinhua in Lagos, is expected to guarantee free, fair and credible election, secure electoral process, enable eligible voters exercise their franchise freely and voluntarily, protect election materials and officials and ensure adequate security before, during and after the election.

The police chief also said adequate resources and personnel will be mobilized and deployed to execute the election conclusively.

The police will deploy 25,000 conventional police officers for the election, Idris added, noting that the Police will be firm and decisive in dealing with any infractions of the law, actions and activities that constitute breach of peace and contrary to public order.

A Xinhua reporter in the state said security has been beefed up ahead of the Wednesday election to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Ahead of the election, the state government had declared September 27 and 28 work-free days, saying it would enable the residents to travel to their places of registration and take part in the elections.

At least 19 political parties are contesting in the election to produce a successor to Governor Adams Oshionmhole of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political analysts believed that the election will be keenly contested between candidates of the ruling APC and the opposition, the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Endit