AN official of the Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC, has been kidnapped in Bayelsa, ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
According to INEC, the official was abducted while waiting to board a boat at the Amassoma Jetty in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday.
The commission also said in a statement that security agencies have been notified of the incident.
Meanwhile, a boat ferrying 12 commission officials for the election in the state also capsized on Friday with result sheets lost.
“We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized,” a spokesperson for the commission in the state, Wilfred Ifogah said.
“Fortunately, no life was lost as all election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personnel effects of staff.
“The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5,386 and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area.”
