Bayelsa poll: INEC confirms abduction of electoral official, boat mishap

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the abduction of a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to Registration Area – 06 (Ossioma) in the Sagbama local government area of the state.

Mr Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC State Headquarters in Yenagoa said the incident in a statement happened on Friday.

He said that the SPO, whose name was not disclosed, was abducted while waiting to board a boat to his area of assignment at Amassoma Jetty.

Ifogah further disclosed that a boat carrying electoral personnel to Registration Area 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area capsized, and no life was lost as all the personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued unhurt.

He said, “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 5,368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area.

“The security agencies have been notified,” Ifogah stated.

The police spokesman in Bayelsa, CSP Asinim Butswat, could not be reached for comments.