INEC: Our national commissioners were harassed during Adamawa guber poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says two national commissioners deployed to Adamawa state were harassed during the supplementary governorship poll.

The supplementary election was conducted on Saturday following the declaration of the March 18 poll as inconclusive over alleged irregularities.

The collation of election results, which commenced after voting ended, was suspended till Sunday after results from 10 LGAs were announced.

INEC however discontinued the exercise after Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner, declared Aisha Binani, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), as the winner.

Yunusa-Ari made the declaration when outstanding results were yet to be announced — but the electoral umpire subsequently described his action as null and void.

In a statement, Festus Okoye, national commissioner and chairman of information and voter education committee, said INEC is “deeply disturbed” that its officials were assaulted during the election.

Okoye called on security agencies to protect the national commissioners and other officers, adding that the commission will not tolerate any act of lawlessness aimed at its staff or the electoral process.

“The commission is deeply disturbed by the harassment of our two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election,” NAN quoted Okoye as saying.

“We urge the security agencies to provide them with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.

“The two national commissioners, the returning officer and other staff of the commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hindrance.”