ALSO REPORTS THE ABDUCTION OF ITS SPO ASSIGNED TO REGISTRATION AREA-06 OSSIOMA IN SAGBAMA LGA
By Vincess Okushi
A few hours before the off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa state, a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17, Koluama in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized.
Confirming the incident today 11th November 2023 in a statement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Bayelsa State Office, HOD Voter Education & Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah on behalf of the state REC said it had earlier commenced the movement of Personnel and electoral materials to the Registration Area Centers (RACs) on Friday 10th November 2023 before the unfortunate incident.
He however confirmed that no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued, even though result sheets, power banks, and luggage containing personal effects of staff were lost.
Wilfred stressed that The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area.
In the same vein, the commission also reported the abduction of its SPO assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty. The security agencies have been notified.
