A speed boat boat carrying officials and election materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission has capsized in Bayelsa State.
The Head, Department of Voter Education and Publicity of INEC office in Bayelsa State, Wilfred Ifogah, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday night.
He said that the boat carrying about twelve personell of INEC was on its way to Southern Ijaw local government area of the state when the incident occurred.
He added that a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to Registration Area – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama local government area of the State.(SPO) who was waiting to board a boat to Sagbama was also abducted with election materials at the university town of Amassoma.
The statement read ” The Independent National Electoral Commission, Bayelsans State Office commenced the movement of personnel and electoral materials to the registration areas centers (RACs) on Friday 10th November, 2023.
“However, we wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to registration area- 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized. Fortunately,no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggages containing personal effects of staff.
“The total number of registered voters in the affected registration area is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311 INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.
“INEC also reports that its SPC assigned to registration area- 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty . The security agencies have been notified.”The statement read .
