INEC tells Rivers electorate to cooperate ‘so that there can be acceptable results’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the people of Rivers state to cooperate with it so that the result of the legislative rerun election can be “acceptable to stakeholders”.

The commission said this in an interim report of the election.

INEC also listed the challenges it experienced, and the role played by security agencies.

“Following the release of the timetable for the conclusion of the national and state assembly re-run elections in Rivers state on 3rd November 2016, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proceeded to conduct the elections in the state as scheduled today, Saturday, 10th December 2016,” the report read.

“The elections were generally peaceful and the turnout was impressive except in Akuku-Toru, Gokana, Khana, Andoni and Tai local government areas.

“There were alleged reports of dynamite explosions in Akuku-Toru; INEC officials were attacked in Khana; electoral materials were snatched in Andoni; and our staff were prevented from conducting the elections in Tai state constituency.

“In a few other areas where hoodlums threatened the conduct of the exercise, the security agencies intervened and ensured that the elections were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

“In the meantime, actual voting has ended in most polling units (PUs). We urge the good people of Rivers state to continue to cooperate with the commission so that ultimately, we would have results that are acceptable to the stakeholders.”