The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the abduction of one of its staff and the capsizing of a boat carrying election materials in Bayelsa State.
According to a statement issued by the commission on Friday night, the abducted staff is a Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO) who was assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area.
SPO was kidnapped by unknown persons at Amassoma Jetty while waiting to board a boat to her duty post.
The commission also reported that a boat conveying 12 election personnel and materials to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area capsized in the water. The commission said that all the personnel and the boat operator were rescued, but the result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff were lost.
The commission said that it is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected areas, and that the security agencies have been notified of the incidents.
The statement was signed by Wilfred Ifogah, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity of INEC in Bayelsa State.
The governorship election in Bayelsa State is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 11, 2023. The election is expected to be keenly contested by the candidates of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
