INEC Suspends Election In Rivers Indefinitely As Soldiers Invade Commission’s Headquarters, INEC Officials Flee

The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended the governorship and House of Assembly elections elections in Rivers State till further notice.

Prior to the INEC suspension of the electoral processes in Rivers state, senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had abandoned the commission’s headquarters following increasing pressure from the military.

The army had taken over security at the commission’s headquarters, blocking access from both GRA and Waterlines Junctions of Aba Road.

The police were just standing idly by. The soldiers even barred journalists with valid accreditation from going into the commission’s office.

The commission premised its action suspending electoral processes on some factors, including the widespread disruption of elections and violence in Polling Units and Collation Centres.

INEC has therefore set up a fact-finding committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.

A statement issued on Sunday by INEC National Commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said this on Sunday while noting that the Commission’s staff have been taken hostage, materials including result sheets have either been seized or destroyed by unauthorised persons.

The statement reads: “Based on reports from our officials in the field, the Independent National Electoral Commission has determined that there has been widespread disruption of elections conducted on March 9 2019 in Rivers State.

“These initial reports suggest that violence occurred in a 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 unauthorized persons.

“In addition, safety of our staff appears to be in jeopardy all over the state and the commission is concerned about the credibility of the process.

“Consequently, at a meeting held today (Sunday) March 10 2019, the commission has decided to suspend all electoral processes in the state until further notice.

“This is in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and Clause 47(e) of the regulations and guidelines of the commission.

“The commission has also established a fact-finding committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.

“We appeal to the people of Rivers State, particularly the voters, for their understanding as we look into the circumstances of these disruptions and what further action needs to be taken.”

Meanwhile results from some local government areas had been received at the commission and journalists and agents waiting for collation to commence, senior officials of the commission quietly left the venue.

However, a source at the commission said the officials left to avoid increasing pressure from the army.

According to the source, army officials want the commission to accept every election material they bring from the field.

There had been reports of men in military uniform snatching election results from collation centres across the state.