INEC Stops Further Action on Bloody Re-run Elections in Rivers State

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INEC Stops Further Action on Bloody Re-run Elections in Rivers State

By Correspondent

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, suspended further action on Rivers State re-run elections. The commission argued that it arrived at the decision on the reason that several permanent and ad hoc officials had been attacked. INEC further stated that some of its officials had also been abducted and taken to unknown destinations. INEC also explained that the charged atmosphere had enabled it to collate and declare results in only one Federal and nine state constituencies. The commission, however, explained that the suspension does not in any way touch the constituencies where the process has been completed and the results declared by the Returning Officers. INEC in a statement by its Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Oluwole Osaze- Uzzi, explained that, “Pursuant to the Orders of the Court of Appeal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections into various seats in the National and the Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday, the 19th of March, 2016. “Rather, unfortunately, some of these elections witnessed the disruption of the process, including the barricading of some of the INEC Local Government offices and Registration Area Centres (RACs) used for the distribution of Electoral materials which led to the late commencement of the exercise in some places and consequently, its smooth take off. “Of more serious concern was the level of threats, violence and intimidation of election officials and voters by well-armed thugs and miscreants allegedly acting on behalf of some politicians, which marred the elections in some areas. “There were reports of numerous attacks resulting in fatalities, kidnappings, ballot snatching, diversion of officials and materials, amongst others, which necessitated its suspension in 8 Local Government Areas. “Regrettably, such deviant behaviour has continued today. Several permanent and ad hoc staff engaged have been attacked, again resulting in fatalities, while some have been forcibly abducted and taken to presently unknown destinations. “Under such difficult circumstance, the Returning Officers were only able to collate and declare results in 1 Federal and 9 State constituencies where the disruption and malpractices were not so widespread. “Having reviewed the situation, the Commission is compelled to suspend all further action concerning the exercise in all the other constituencies in the State pending the receipt of a comprehensive report from its Field Officials and Monitors. “For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that the suspension does not affect the constituencies where the exercise has been completed and the results declared by the Returning Officers.”

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