Sophia Michaels
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has verified reports of election process disruptions caused by incidents of thuggery and material hijacking in certain areas of Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Kano States.
The commission on its X handle, on Saturday, announced the disruption of the electoral processes in the 3 states.
It said generally, polls opened promptly and accreditation going on smoothly in the 8,934 Polling Units in 26 States involved in today’s bye-elections and re-run elections.
The commission said, “UPDATE ON THE ONGOING RERUN/BYE-ELECTIONS; Generally, polls opened promptly and accreditation going on smoothly in the 8,934 Polling Units in 26 States involved in today’s bye-elections and re-run elections.
“However, we are monitoring reported disruption of processes by acts of thuggery and hijacking of materials in some locations in Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Kano States. In Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, we are investigating reported incidents in Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA.
“In Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, we are investigating reports of disruption in 8 Polling Units in Uwani West Ward. In Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituencies of Kano State, processes have been disrupted in Kunchi Local Government Area involving 10 Polling Units.
“We will provide regular updates on the situation.”
SaharaReporters had reported that no fewer than four million Nigerians were expected to vote, in the re-run and bye-elections to fill 48 legislative seats across 26 states of the country.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had however assured of credible exercises and tasked all stakeholders on support to ensure violence-free polls.
The affected states are Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
