The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed three persons dead in the bye-election held in the Ekiti East constituency (1) House of Assembly. The electoral umpire also added that it has suspended the election over the violence which marred the voting exercise.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ekiti state(REC), Dr. Tella Adeniran made this known in a statement on Saturday. Adeniran said three persons were shot dead during the poll at unit 7, ward 7 in Omuo-Ekiti.
According to Adeniran, three other persons sustained life-threatening injuries from a gunshot at the unit and were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The violence erupted at polling unit of the lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial district, Senator Biodun Olujimi.
Adeniran explained that the suspension of the process became necessary to protect the lives of ad-hoc staff and security agents deployed for the bye-election.
The REC said, “In two (2) PUs of ward 09 (Obadore IV); polling unit 8 (Baba Egbe house lodouro/Odoule) & polling unit 9 (Beside Baba Egbe/Odouru/Odoule) i. Polling unit 07 (Aro street/Aro) of ward 07 (Obadore lI).
“In PU 07, ward 07 three (3) voters were shot dead while a youth corps member, a policewoman and an INEC staff sustained gunshot wounds.
“Under this circumstance, the safety of electoral officials, security personnel and election materials, as well as the credibility of the process, cannot be guaranteed. The State Commissioner of Police is fully aware of the situation.
“It is unfortunate that in spite of the effort of the Commission in giving Nigerians free, fair, credible and inclusive election, some people appear to be unprepared for an improved electoral process.
“The situation is such that, a conducive environment no longer exists for further electoral activity at the PUs and the Collation centres.
“In view of this development, the Commission has suspended the election forthwith.”
The British Parliament at the Westminster Hall held a debate on ‘e-petition 554150, relating to Nigeria and the sanctions regime’ on Monday. The government of the United Kingdom has however responded…INEC confirms three dead INEC confirms three dead
The surprise visit made on Friday night by the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to former President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Abuja triggered a stir in the major political camps, resulting in at least four possible theories…INEC confirms three dead INEC confirms three dead.
•Source: Tribune
