Off-cycle Polls: Gunmen Go After INEC Official, Abduct One, As Boat Conveying Men, Materials Capsizes

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the abduction of one of its official in Bayelsa state, few hours before the commencement of the governorship election.

“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty. The security agencies have been notified”, Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Voter Education and Publicity said in a late-night statement issued on behalf of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, Obo Effanga.

Noting that the commission had commenced the movement of Personnel and electoral materials to the Registration Area Centers RACs as of Friday, Ifogah, however, confirmed that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southem Ijaw LGA had capsized.

“Fortunately, no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued”, he stated.

Ifogah added that the commission, however lost its results sheets for the elections but that efforts were underway to ensure the smooth conduct of the election in the area.

He said, “We however, lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.

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“The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.

“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty. The security agencies have been notified’.

(Vanguard)