…. says Supervising Presiding officer kidnapped at Jetty..
Staff of thethe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) narrowly escaped being drowned as a boat conveying them to Koluama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State capsized.
The incident happened on Friday eve of the November 11 off-cycle governorship election.
According to the Head of Department, Voters Education and Publicity in Bayelsa state,Mr Wilfred Ifogah,no life was lost. He said that 12 personnel and the boat driver were all safely rescued.He however confirmed that result sheets for the election in the area and personal items were missing.
Ifogah also confirmed the abduction of a Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to registration area 06 in Ossioma, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State
The official was said to be waiting for a boat at the Amasoma jetty.
“We wish to confirm that a boat carrying personnel to registration area 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized, fortunately, no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.
“The total number of registered voters in the affected registration area is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.
“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,” he said.
