The Ekiti State constituency election conducted on Saturday March 20 2021 has been suspended by the Independent National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
A signed Statement by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman,Information and Voter Education Committee Gesture Okoye indicates that the Commission took the decision inline with reports that the bye- elections were mared by violence, with two people dead, some Electoral Officers and some ad-hoc ataff also wounded by gunmen.
Okoye stated that the Commission further acted on the report received from the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State that the bye-election to fill the vacancy for the Ekiti East 1 State Constituency was disrupted by violent attacks on voters, election officials and security personnel.
“The Commission made adequate arrangements for the election. Personnel and materials arrived on time in all the 39 Polling Units spread across 5 Wards of the Constituency for the 23,670 registered voters to exercise their franchise in a free and fair process.
“However, no sooner had voting commenced than unidentified gunmen unleashed mayhem at some Polling Units, thereby disrupting the process.
“Unfortunately some innocent voters were shot dead, while a policeman, some INEC regular and ad hoc staff who sustained gunshot injuries during the melee are receiving medical attention”, he stated.
Indicating that the violence and killings were unacceptable,Okoye said the has been suspended indefinitely as to continue with the process will amount to rewarding bad behavior.
The security agencies are aware of this unfortunate situation and have commenced investigation.
“The Commission however commiserates with the innocent victims of this dastardly act and affront to our democracy”.
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