A Supervising Polling Officer (SPO) deployed for Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State has been abducted while 5,368 result sheets were lost in a boat accident.
The SPO was assigned to Registration Area- 06 (Ossioma) in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
He was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty, a statement issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Bayelsa State Office said.
It was also learnt that there was sporadic gunfire around 3 a.m. on Saturday in the Brass Local Government Area, causing apprehension and panic among residents of the town.
The statement signed by Mr Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Voter Education and Publicity said a total number of 5,368 result sheets that were being taken to ward 17 (Koluama) in the Southern area of the state were lost to the accident.
The statement said, “We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern 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 5,368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.”
INEC said security agencies had been notified about the abduction of the SPO for rescue efforts to begin.
