An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official was forcefully kidnapped in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The abduction occurred on Friday while the official awaited boarding a Boat at the Amassoma Jetty.

INEC released a statement, stating, “INEC also reports that its SPO (Supervising Polling Officer) 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.”

Simultaneously, another unfortunate event unfolded as a boat, transporting 12 commission officials for the November 11, 2023 governorship Election in the state, capsized on Friday, resulting in the loss of result sheets.

Wilfred Ifogah, a spokesperson for the commission in the state, confirmed, “We wish to confirm that a boat carrying Election Personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized.” Importantly, no lives were lost, as all 12 election personnel and the boat operator were successfully rescued.

However, the incident led to the loss of critical materials: “We, however, lost our result sheets, power banks, and luggage containing personnel effects of staff. The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5,386, and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area.