The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday confirmed the abduction of a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) in Bayelsa State.
According to the commission, a boat carrying electoral officers to Registration Area- 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, also capsized.
These were conveyed in a statement signed by the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC office, Bayelsa State, Wilfred Ifogah.
Ifogah said the SPO, whose identity he did not disclose, was abducted at the Amassoma jetty (in Southern Ijaw LGA) while waiting to board a boat.
He said, “INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area- 06 (Ossiama) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma jetty.
“The security agencies have been notified.”
Ifogah said that no casualty was recorded in the boat mishap as all the election personnel, 12 in number, and the boat operator were rescued.
The statement added: ‘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 Area is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311.
“INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.”
•INDEPENDENTNG.