Electoral Process In Rivers State Suspended, INEC Establishes Fact-Finding Committee

AISHA ABUBAKAR

The Independent Electoral Commission has suspended the electoral process in Rivers State and established a fact-finding committee.

The announcement was contained in a release by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee. The electoral umpire said that based on reports from their officials in the field, it has determined that there was widespread disruption of elections conducted on Saturday March 9, 2019.

The electoral body said that initial reports suggested that violence occurred in substantial number of polling units and collation centres. INEC staffs were reportedly taken hostage while materials including result sheets were either seized or destroyed by unauthorised persons.

Following the incidences at the different polling units, the Commission held a meeting today March 10, 2019, and decided to suspend all electoral processes in the state in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) till further notice.

INEC also set up a Fact-Finding Committee to assess the situation and report back in 48 hours while appealing to the Rivers people especially the voters for understanding till they are informed about further actions to be taken.