Violence: INEC to Reschedule Polls in Lagos, Rivers, Anambra

Pat Stevens/

The Independent National Electoral Commission today said that it would reschedule elections in some parts of Rivers, Anambra and Lagos states where there were reports of violence and ballot box snatching.

According to reports from the Civil Society Organisations’ (CSO) Situation Room, more than 15 deaths were recorded nationwide.

INEC Commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who gave updates on the elections, said where the malfunctioning of smartcard readers was not resolved before the closing of elections, voting would continue the next day.

The commission, however, admitted there were some challenges with the smart card readers, but said they had been resolved.

Okoye said: “We received reports of violence and ballot box snatching which took place in Akokotoro and Bonny LGAs in Rivers State, and some parts of Lagos and Anambra states. We are waiting for the reports, we have told the Resident Electoral Commissioners in the states to submit reports. So long as the poll is didn’t commence, it is assumed that there was no voting.

“So, elections in these areas, especially in areas related to the House of Representatives and Senate didn’t take place and the date for the election will be decided later after we receive reports from INEC officials on the ground.”

He disclosed that any INEC official who is found to have sabotaged the process by deliberately refusing to make use of the smart card readers would be prosecuted because that action contravened the electoral guidelines and provisions of the Electoral Act.

His words: “It was made clear that the use of smartcard reader is mandatory. Therefore any official of the commission who will deliberately refuse to use the smart card reader will be subject to prosecution.

“The challenges of smart card readers have been resolved. But where they are not resolved before the closing of elections, the election will continue the next day.”

He also explained that all the unused ballot papers will be cancelled immediately after the election.

0