INEC Postpones Scheduled Re-run Elections In Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Kano
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it suspended Saturday’s rerun elections in certain constituencies in Enugu, Kano, and Akwa Ibom states due to disruptions, irregularities, and abduction of election officials.
The areas affected are the Enugu South 1 State Constituency in Enugu State, the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, and the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State.
INEC National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced this in a statement released on Saturday.
He explained that the suspension followed reports of thuggery and hijacking of electoral materials in these states. In Enugu South 1 Constituency, elections were suspended in all eight polling units where the original result sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the polls began.
He also informed that in Akwa Ibom State, elections were suspended in two polling units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) due to the theft of all election materials by hoodlums.
For the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State, Olumekun stated that the Rerun elections were suspended in all ten polling units in Kunchi LGA following invasions, vandalism, and disruptions by thugs.
According to him, the decision was made in accordance with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
INEC, therefore, hinted that it would announce further measures for the affected constituencies after a meeting on Monday, adding that security agencies have been invited to investigate the incidents.
The Commission pledged its Commitment towards thorough review of any breaches involving its officials.
INEC scheduled the bye and rerun elections in 80 Local Government Areas across 26 states it the federation to fill vacancies in three Senatorial Districts, 17 Federal, and 28 State constituencies involving 4,904,627 registered voters, of whom 4,613,291 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
0
0
