Election Violence: INEC suspends Rerun and By-Elections in Enugu, Kano and Akwa Ibom Constituencies

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the ongoing rerun and by-elections in some constituencies of Enugu, Kano and Akwa Ibom States.

INEC suspended the polls due to “disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials”.

The affected areas are Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State, Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State.

In a statement, INEC’s National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun announced the development.

The decision came after INEC said it was monitoring cases of thuggery and hijacking of electoral materials in these states.

According to INEC, elections were suspended in all eight Polling Units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls in Enugu South 1 Constituency.

Similarly in Akwa Ibom State, INEC noted that elections were suspended in two Polling Units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums.

For Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State, INEC said elections were suspended in all ten Polling Units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalization, and disruption by thugs.

It stated that further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the Commission’s meeting on Monday.