INEC suspends election in Rivers State indefinitely

PORT HARCOURT, Rivers, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has suspended further process on the Rivers State Governorship and House of Assembly election until further notice.

In a statement, INEC Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said INEC took the decision because there was widespread electoral violence in Rivers State.

According to him, violence occured in substantial number of polling units and collation centres. ” Staff have been taken hostage and materials including result sheets have either been seized or destroyed by unauthorised persons. In addition, the safety of our staff, appears to be in jeopardy all over the state and the commission is concerned about the credibility of the process”, INEC said.

He said the decision to suspend the election is in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 as ammended and clause 46e of the regulation and guidelines of the commission.

He said the commission also established a fact-finding committee to look into the situation and report back in 48 hours. INEC appealed to people of Rivers State for understanding in dealing with the situation.