By Ayo Kehinde
Early morning gunfire rocked communities in Brass Local Government in Bayelsa on Saturday, raising fears among residents and voters.
Then before voting commenced in the state, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced that supervising Polling Officer (SPO), assigned to Registration Area-06 Ossioma in Sagbama LGA, of Bayelsa state, was been abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty.
Mr Wilfred Ifogah, head of Voter Education and Publicity, said a boat mishap claimed a total of 5,368 result sheets going to ward 17 Koluama in the Southern area of the state.
He 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 was 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 5,311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.”
On the abducted SPO, Mr Ifogah said security agencies have been notified.
