INEC Halts Rerun Elections In Enugu, Kano, Akwa Ibom Due to Disruptions, Abductions

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the rerun elections in certain constituencies in Enugu, Kano, and Akwa Ibom states due to disruptions, irregularities, and the abduction of election officials.

The areas affected are the Enugu South 1 State Constituency in Enugu State, the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, and the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State.

This announcement was made in a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, on Saturday.

The suspension followed reports of thuggery and the hijacking of electoral materials in these states. In Enugu South 1 Constituency, elections were suspended in all eight polling units where the original result sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the polls began.

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In Akwa Ibom State, elections were suspended in two polling units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) due to the theft of all election materials by hoodlums.

For the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State, elections were suspended in all ten polling units in Kunchi LGA following invasions, vandalism, and disruptions by thugs.

The decision was made in accordance with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022. INEC stated that it would announce further measures for the affected constituencies after a meeting on Monday and has invited security agencies to investigate the incidents. The Commission also committed to a thorough review of any breaches involving its officials.

INEC is conducting bye and rerun elections in 80 Local Government Areas across 26 states to fill vacancies in three senatorial districts, 17 federal, and 28 state constituencies involving 4,904,627 registered voters, of whom 4,613,291 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).