One of the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of the governorship election in Bayelsa state has been kidnapped
The Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO) was assigned to registration area 06 in Ossioma, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
DAILY GIST reports that the governorship election will take place on Saturday, November 11.
The INEC official, whose identity was yet-to-ascertained as at the time of filling this report was said to have been abducted at Amassoma Community in Southern Ijaw LGA while waiting to board a boat at a jetty in the area.
Also, a boat carrying election personnel to registration area 17 in Koluama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA capsized and election materials. including result sheets, got lost.
INEC Head of Department, Voters Education and Publicity in Bayelsa State, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, who confirmed the two incidents, said no life was lost.
He added that 12 personnel and boat operator were rescued.
He said: “We wish to confirm that a boat carrying personnel to registration area 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized, fortunately, no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
“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 area 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,” he said.
The police spokesman in Bayelsa State, CSP Asinim Butswat, had not reacted to the incident as of the time of publishing this report.
