November 11, (THEWILL) – Gunmen have abducted an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa state.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Obo Effanga, confirmed the incident in a statement issued by Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Voter Education and Publicity.
According to REC, the “SPO assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA”, was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty.
The REC also 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 said, adding that results sheets for the elections were lost in the incident.
“We, however, lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.
“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”, he added.
