The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO) for registration area 06 in Ossioma, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been abducted. The unidentified official was taken at Amassoma Community in Southern Ijaw LGA while awaiting boat transportation at a local jetty.
Simultaneously, a boat destined for registration area 17 in Koluama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, capsized, resulting in the loss of election materials, including crucial result sheets. INEC's Head of Department for Voters Education and Publicity in Bayelsa State, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, confirmed the incidents, noting that while no lives were lost, 12 personnel and the boat operator were rescued.
The loss of result sheets, power banks, and personal effects of staff poses a challenge to the electoral process in the affected area. INEC reassures its commitment to conducting elections in the impacted region, with 5368 registered voters and 5311 PVCs collected. Security agencies have been notified about the abduction, although the Bayelsa State police spokesman, CSP Asinim Butswat, is yet to respond to the incident.
