The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of the rerun elections in some constituencies in Enugu, Kano and Akwa Ibom States following reports of violence, irregularities and abduction of election officials.
The Commission made this known in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
The statement said the affected constituencies are Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State, Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it took the decision in line with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which empowers it to suspend an election in the event of any emergency or unforeseen circumstances.
The statement issued by INEC explained that in Enugu South 1 Constituency, elections were suspended in all eight Polling Units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.
In Akwa Ibom State, the Commission said elections were suspended in two Polling Units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums.
The Commission also said elections were suspended in all ten Polling Units in Kunchi LGA of Kano State due to invasion, vandalization, and disruption by thugs.
The statement added that the Commission will announce further necessary measures for the affected constituencies after its meeting on Monday.
The Commission also invited the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the Commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials.
The rerun elections were conducted in 80 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 26 states of the federation to fill vacancies in not less than three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies.
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The elections involved 4,904,627 registered voters, out of which 4,613,291 PVCs have been collected, and 8,934 polling units across 575 registration areas/wards.
