The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the army overstepped its constitutional responsibility during the conduct of the March 9 gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections in Rivers State.
The commission also announced that it will continue with the collation of results in the state
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi said this on Channels TV on Sunday night
Osaze-Uzzi explained that the commission will conclude the collation exercise in Rivers because it was not declared inconclusive.
He noted that soldiers and armed gangs disrupted elections in several areas, adding that the army overstepped its constitutional responsibilities.
He added that the commission will engage the military hierarchy in Abuja to address the issue.
Recall that collation of Rivers results was suspended by INEC due to alleged electoral malpractices and violence.
The INEC spokesman further added that the Collation Officer for Bauchi was replaced because of the threats to her life and that of her family.
“In case of Rivers, the commission will conclude the collation exercise there because it was not declared inconclusive.
“Initially, we had pencilled Bauchi down as one of the states for which there will be a supplementary election, but as I speak now, quite honestly, we are not sure of that.
“The commission will on Tuesday appoint a new collation officer who will go back and conclude the collation for areas affected in the state
“Also if it is found out that there are no sufficient votes and there is a need for a supplementary election, then one (an election) will be conducted.”
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