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By Iheanyi Chukwudi
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday suspended the rerun elections in some constituencies in Enugu, Kano, and Akwa Ibom states.
The electoral commission said the suspension was due to alleged disruptions, irregularities, and the abduction of election officials.
Affected constituencies are the Enugu South 1 State Constituency in Enugu State, Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, and the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State.
INEC, in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Saturday, further stated that the suspension followed reports of thuggery and the hijacking of electoral materials in these states.
In Enugu South 1 Constituency, elections were suspended in all eight polling units where the original result sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the polls began.
In Akwa Ibom State, elections were suspended in two polling units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) due to the theft of all election materials by hoodlums.
For the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State, elections were suspended in all 10 polling units in Kunchi LGA following invasions, vandalism, and disruptions by thugs.
The statement said the decision was made in accordance with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, adding that the Commission will announce further measures for the affected constituencies after a meeting on Monday.
Also INEC has invited security agencies to investigate the incidents just as it expressed its commitment to a thorough review of any breaches involving its officials.
The electoral body is conducting bye and rerun elections in 80 Local Governments across 26 states to fill vacancies in three senatorial districts, 17 federal, and 28 state constituencies involving 4,904,627 registered voters, of whom 4,613,291 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
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