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Polling Delays, Cancellations In Rivers Rerun Postponing INEC’s Announcement Of Winners

SaharaReporters has learned that there have been significant delays in the distribution of voting materials in some Local Government Areas (LGA) which is likely to interfere with projected vote collation timetables, according to sources.

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SaharaReporters has also confirmed that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) Resident Election Commissioner (REC) for Rivers State, Aniedi Ikoiwak, announced that elections are suspended in Gokhana, Khana, Andoni, and Bonny areas due to polling irregularities amid allegations of ballot snatching, false ballots, and other forms of electoral fraud.

Mr. Ikoiwak told journalists that “results found to be fair will be announced” at a later time. He also said that all complaints will be reviewed by the proper authorties.

A civil society source on the ground, who requested anonymity, told SaharaReporters that “if they care about credible elections then some LGAs should be postponed” due to voting delays and irregularities.

Another civil society source stated that “there are reports of diversion of election materials in Tai area, which is not a good start.” This same source said that there were serious delays in Pokana and Khana areas “with the majority of those wards not receiving election materials until 1:30pm.”

There have also been reports of low voter turnout across the State, according to several sources speaking with our SaharaReporters correspondent. One source disclosed that this was likely due to “voter exhaustion and the toxic language used in campaigning” which kept voters at home.

SaharaReporters previously published reports that Cyril Dum Nwite, the Special Assistant for Special Projects to Governor Nysome Wike, was arrested in the possession of military uniforms and N3 million.

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Elections