The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has suspended the bye-election in Ekiti East.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adeniran Tella announced this while addressing newsmen in Omuo Ekiti.
Dr Tella explained that the suspension was based on violence that characterised the exercise in some polling unit in Omuo Ekiti.
He said three persons were shot dead while a policewoman, corps member and INEC staff sustained gunshot injuries which necessitated the suspension of the exercise.
According to him, the poll was disrupted in some polling units in Obadore, saying that the safety of electoral officials, materials and Security personnel could no longer be guaranteed.
INEC, in a press release by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, described the violence that marred the election as unacceptable.
“This situation is unacceptable. In its avowed commitment to electoral integrity, the Commission has suspended the election indefinitely. To continue with the process will amount to rewarding bad behaviour.
“The security agencies are aware of this unfortunate situation and have commenced investigation.
“The Commission commiserates with the innocent victims of this dastardly act and affront to our democracy,” INEC said.
Breaking News:
INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF EKITI EAST 1 STATE CONSTITUENCY BYE-ELECTION pic.twitter.com/gRsN0Zvhf7— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) March 20, 2021
Meanwhile, the senator representing Ekiti South, Biodun Olujimi and a member of the house of Representatives, Mr Femi Bamisile have condemned the violence that marred the bye-election.
In a separate interview, senator Olujimi and Mr Bamisile called on the police to bring the perpetrators to book to ensure Justice.
In a related development, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi condemned the violence that marred the bye-election in Ekiti East Constituency 1 of the State House Assembly in strong terms, vowing that no one involved in the dastardly act would go unpunished.
ADO-EKITI | March 20, 2021 – Governor Kayode Fayemi @kfayemi has condemned, in strong terms, the violence that marred Saturday’s bye-election in Ekiti East Constituency 1 of the State House Assembly, saying that no one involved in the dastardly act would go unpunished. pic.twitter.com/pzIDZMa1ln
— Government of Ekiti State (@ekitistategov) March 20, 2021
