By Reen Chidi
The Delta State Police Command has intensified security preparations for the Udu State Constituency by-election scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, with the deployment of personnel across the Local Government Area.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, ordered the deployment as part of measures to ensure a peaceful, secure and hitch-free electoral process.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, personnel have been deployed to polling units, collation centres, major routes and other strategic locations across Udu Local Government Area.
The Commissioner also directed officers assigned to the election duty to maintain professionalism, vigilance and impartiality throughout the exercise.
The Police said the deployment would provide security for voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited observers and electoral materials.
Patrol and response teams have equally been positioned to maintain security and respond swiftly to any attempt to breach the peace before, during or after the election.
The Command warned political actors, candidates and their supporters against acts capable of undermining the electoral process, including political thuggery, violence, voter intimidation, vote buying, ballot snatching, possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons and destruction of electoral materials.
It further cautioned political parties and their supporters to ensure that their followers conduct themselves peacefully, stressing that anyone found attempting to disrupt the election would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
CP Erale assured residents of adequate security to enable them exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear or intimidation.
He urged voters, candidates, political parties and their supporters to cooperate with security personnel and maintain peace throughout the exercise.
The Commissioner reiterated the Command’s neutrality in the electoral process, stressing that the Police would enforce the law firmly and impartially against anyone, regardless of status or political affiliation, found attempting to disturb the peace.
