Breaking: INEC Cancels Election in Southern Ijaw LGA, Declares Bayelsa Polls Inconclusive

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, December 7th, 2015

By Ignatius Okpara, Yenagoa

Declaration of the final result of Bayelsa State Governorship Election, held last Saturday has been suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Election Returning Officer, Professor Zanu Akpagu Monday evening earlier announced that the former State Governor, Timiprie Sylva of the APC was trailing behind the incumbent Governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson.

Dickson with the result of the seven out of the State LGAs collated was far ahead with a total of 105, 748 votes while Silva has a total of 72,594 votes.

Prof Akpagu indicated that as he made the announcement, the result of the last Local Government – Southern Ijaw, has not been received.

He pointed out that the LG has a total of 120, 827 registered voters. He therefore declared in the view of the prevailing circumstance, he as the poll Returning Officer, could not make the final announcement, nor return the result.

It would be recalled the election in Southern Ijaw was shifted till Sunday, December 6, due to report of widespread of violence and disturbance of public peace.

Consequently, the Returning Officer handed over to the State INEC Resident Electoral Officer (REC) to make further clarification.

The REC in his brief announcement stated that the report reaching the Electoral body indicated that the rescheduled election in the Southern Ijaw was marred with violence and failed to comply substantially with the Electoral Act. He stated there were reports of shooting, ballot box snatching and stuffing among other electoral malpractices.

In view of this, the REC announced that the INEC would communicate the date of rescheduled poll in due course.