By Ken Afor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned reported attacks and abduction of its officials by hoodlums in some polling units in Kano and Akwa Ibom States in the ongoing rerun elections in some states in the country.
The electoral body in response these incidents suspended the elections in the affected states.
In a statement released on Saturday by INEC on its official X account, the decision was made in line with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
According to the electoral umpire, there were cases of election material snatching in two polling units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini Local Government Area (LGA) and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State.
Also, hoodlums invaded all ten polling units in Kunchi LGA in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State, and vandalized election materials.
Meanwhile, in Enugu State, elections were suspended in all eight polling units in Enugu South 1 State Constituency, where the original result sheets were unavailable for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.
The electoral body stated that “further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced” after its meeting on Monday.
It called on various security agencies to investigate the incidents, emphasizing its commitment to thoroughly investigate any breaches involving its officials.
According to INEC, approximately four million Nigerians were expected to cast their votes in the re-run and bye-elections for the 48 legislative seats across 26 states.
The affected states include 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.
