Thugs in Bayelsa attack voters, steal election materials as INEC probes fake results in Kogi
Thugs in Bayelsa attack voters, steal election materials as INEC probes fake results in Kogi
Heavily armed thugs have invaded polling units in Southern Ijaw and Sagbama local Government Areas of Bayelsa State and hijacked elections materials.
The thugs first struck at Agorogbene unit 6, 7 and 8 in Ward 11 of Southern Ijaw where they destroyed election materials.
Attempts by some voters to challenge the armed men were replied with heavy gunshots.
The criminals stormed the Registration Area Centre and carted away election materials of five out of the seven polling units.
However, at Ogiadiama ward 9 in Unit 14 of Southern Ijaw Local Government area, gunmen stormed the unit but were repelled by security men.
READ ALSO: Gov Polls: Voting begins in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi
Sporadic gunshots were also heard around Abuja/Imbikiri area of Brass ward 2. Thugs also attacked the RAC centre in Oginibiri in Brass Ward 8.
In another development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced investigation into the allegations of fake election results curculating in Kogi State.
A civil society organisation, YIAGA Africa, had raised the alarm over the discovery of election results from Polling Unit 004, Eni Ward of Ogori/Mangogo area of the state.
The forged result was seen while voters were still in queue.
In the results, a copy of which was attached to the post, the APC polled 200 votes; AA scored 1; while ADC, PDP and SDP got 2 votes each.
In a tweet, the CSO wrote, “Dear @inecnigeria we received report of pre-filled results sheet discovered in PU 004, Eni Ward of Ogori/magongo in Kogi state before commencement of voting. Kindly investigate and address this issue promptly to safeguard the integrity of the process,” the post read.
At about 9.45am, the organisation posted another pre-recorded result sheet from PU 020, Eika/Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of the state.
“Another case of pre-filled results sheet in PU 020, Eika/Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi state,” it wrote.
According to the results, APC got 530 votes; while AA and SDP polled 1 each.
Responding after the tweets went viral, the commission said it viewed the situation seriously.
“Our attention has been drawn to a report that filled result sheets were discovered in some polling units in Kogi State. The Commission views this situation seriously.”
“Our senior officials deployed to the State are currently investigating the incident(s). The Commission will communicate its decision earnestly.”