An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa state has been abducted while waiting to board a boat to his duty post.
The Head of Information and Voter Education at the INEC headquarters in Yenagoa, Wilfred Ifogah, said in a statement that the SPO was abducted at the Amassoma jetty while waiting to board a boat to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA.
Ifogah, who said security agents have been notified of the development, also confirmed that a boat conveying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southem Ijaw LGA capsized.
The statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission, Bayelsa State Office commenced the movement of Personnel and electoral materials to the Registration Area Centers (RACs) on Friday 10th November, 2023.
“However we wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southem Ijaw LGA capsized.
“Fortunately no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.
“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 election in the affected area.
“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty. The security agencies have been notified.”
