INEC Fixes New Dates To Complete Rivers Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral body, says the resumption of collation and announcement of results of the March 9 governorship election in Rivers State, southern Nigeria, would hold between April 2 and 5.

Naija News reports that the electoral umpire released a schedule of activities for the completion of the Rivers election on Wednesday, March 27.

This online news platform recalls that the Commission had on 10 March suspended electoral processes in the oil-rich state as a result of violence that marred the March 9 governorship poll.

During the incident, INEC officials were held hostage while electoral materials were reportedly seized.

“Staff have been taken hostage and materials including result sheets have either been seized or destroyed by unauthorised persons,” the commission had said in a statement.

The Commission noted that supplementary elections will be conducted where necessary on April 13, adding that results will be announced between April 13 and 15 while Certificates of Return will be issued on April 19.

“According to the timetable, a stakeholders’ meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 30 while the resumption of collation and announcement of results will hold between April 2 and 5. Supplementary elections will be conducted where necessary on April 13, results will be announced between April 13 and 15 while Certificates of Return will be issued on April 19,” the commission said.