Violence, transport problems force suspension in four states

The rerun elections conducted in some states on Saturday in 26 states of the federation were characterised by violence, vote-buying, ballot snatching, disruption and low turnout of voters.

The Independent National Electoral Commission conducted by-elections in nine states for two senators, four members of the House of Representatives and three members of state Houses of Assembly to replace members who passed away or resigned their memberships of the assemblies.

In other states, re-run elections took place at designated constituencies and polling units as ordered by-election appeal tribunals.

INEC said the elections were to fill vacancies in three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies spread across 80 local government areas, 575 registration areas/wards and 8,934 polling units, involving 4,904,627 registered voters out of which 4,613,291 permanent voter cards collected were accredited for use.

However, the exercise did not go as planned in many of the polling units as reports of thuggery, ballot-snatching and intimidation of voters were recorded, while security agents made some arrests.

Some of the issues forced INEC to suspend the polls in some of the polling units in Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau states.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Sam Olumekun, disclosed the suspension of the polls in 20 polling units in the affected states in a statement on Saturday.

INEC had earlier stated that it was probing disruptions that occurred during the rerun/by-elections in Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Kano 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.

“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.”

However, in its latest updates, the commission stated that the suspension was a result of irregularities and abduction of election officials.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission announces the suspension of ongoing re-run elections in specific constituencies due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials. The affected areas are as follows:

Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State: Suspension of elections in two Polling Units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums.

“Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State: Suspension of elections in all eight polling units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.

“Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State: Suspension of elections in all 10 polling units in the Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalism, and disruption by thugs.”

The commission noted that the suspension “aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022,” and urged security agencies to investigate the incidents.

The statement added, “Further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the commission’s meeting on Monday.

“INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials.”