Bayelsa Election: INEC Official Abducted, Result Sheets Lost in Boat Accident

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been abducted in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to a statement by the commission, the official was forcefully abducted on Friday while waiting to board a boat at the Amassoma Jetty.

According to a statement by the commission:

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,”

Meanwhile, a boat transporting 12 officials of the commission for the November 11, 2023, governorship election in the state also capsized on Friday, with the result sheets lost in the accident.

According to the spokesperson for the commission in the state, Wilfred Ifogah, there were no casualties as all 12 election officials and the boat operator were rescued.

He said:

 

“We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized.

Fortunately, no life was lost as all election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.

We however lost our result sheets, power banks and liggage containing personnel effects of staff.

The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5,386 and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area.”