Bayelsa guber election, INEC staff abducted, materials lost in boat mishap

In a recent development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that one of its Supervising Presiding Officers (SPO) was abducted in Bayelsa while en route to her duty post. Simultaneously, a boat transporting personnel and election materials to Registration Area Centers (RACs) in Koluama community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, capsized.

Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Voter Education & Publicity, issued a statement on Friday night, confirming the incidents. The abducted SPO, assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA, was taken while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty.

INEC initiated the movement of personnel and electoral materials to the Registration Area Centers on November 10, 2023. The statement outlined the details of the boat mishap, stating that while there were no casualties, the personnel (12 in number) and the boat operator were safely rescued. Unfortunately, the incident resulted in the loss of result sheets, power banks, and personal belongings of the staff.

The affected Registration Areas, namely Koluama, have 5,368 registered voters, with 5,311 PVCs collected. Despite these challenges, INEC assured the public that efforts are underway to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area. Security agencies have been alerted to the situation.

The incidents highlight the complexities and unforeseen challenges that can arise during the electoral process, requiring swift and effective responses to maintain the integrity of the election.