will issue “detailed timelines and activities” for the completion of the
governorship and state house of assembly elections in the State on March
20, 2019.
This was contained in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, Chairman,
Information and Voter Education Committee, late on Friday, in which the
commission blamed “some soldiers and armed gangs” for invading collation
centers, resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election
officials, thereby disrupting the electoral process”.
According to the commission, a meeting was held on Friday to deliberate on
the outcome of the report by the fact-finding committee sent to Rivers
State.
The electoral process had been suspended on March 10, 2019, following
irregularities that characterized the election.
The statement by INEC on the outcome of the fact-finding committee read:
“That the governorship and state assembly elections took place in most of
the polling units and results were announced.
“That the results of 17 out of 23 Local Governments are available and in
the commission’s custody.
“That the declaration and returns for 21 State Constituencies out of 32
were made prior to the suspension.
“That collation centers were invaded by some soldiers and armed gangs
resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials,
thereby disrupting the electoral process.”
The commission expressed displeasure with the situation and promised to
engage security agencies and key stakeholders on ensuring smooth electoral
process, noting that it will issue “detailed timeline and activities for
the completion of the election on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019”
