The Independent National Electoral Commission has cancelled Saturday’s Bayelsa State governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area — one of the state’s eight LGAs. The decision, which will soon be announced officially by INEC, means the elections are inconclusive. INEC said the decision was taken because of violence, the abduction of electoral officials and ballot box snatching, according to details seen by PREMIUM TIMES.
The electoral agency believed what happened in Southern Ijaw was a negation of global best practices in election conduct and that it was necessary to cancel the election there to enthrone credibility in the process, an official briefed on the matter has told PREMIUM TIMES. Governor Seriake Dickson has a clear lead in the election, according to results announced so far by INEC.
The supplementary election will be conducted in due date.