INEC SUSPENDS EKITI HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY-ELECTION OVER VIOLENCE THAT ERUPTED DURING THE POLLS
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Ekiti House of Assembly bye-election following a violence that erupted during the polls on Saturday.
Tella Adeniran, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti, made the development known in a statement.
During the violence, a policewoman and two others were killed by suspected political thugs.
“The situation is such that, a conducive environment no longer exists for further electoral activity at the PUs and the Collation centers.
“In view of this development, the Commission has suspended the election forthwith.
“The safety of electoral officials, security personnel and election materials, as well as the credibility of the process, cannot be guaranteed," the Commissioner said.
Adeniran, who noted that the State's Commissioner of Police is fully aware of the situation, said that it is unfortunate that Nigerians are frustrating the free, fair, and credible election INEC is organising.
Recall that the police command in the state had on Friday announced a restriction of movement ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, condemned the incident, and described it as 'disturbing'. Also, former Governor of the State and PDP Chieftain, Ayo Fayose, commenting on the incident, Fayose described the killings as an 'act of terrorism', stress in that it is shameful to see people being butchered because of a by-election.
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