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Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bayelsa State Office has confirmed that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA for the November 11, 2023 capsized.

The Commission also confirmed the abduction of a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to Registration Area – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

The boat was ferrying the INEC personnels on Friday before it capsized with result sheets lost.

A statement by the head of voter education, INEC office, Bayelsa State, Wilfred Ifogah says no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.

“We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized,” said a spokesperson for the commission in the state, Wilfred Ifogah.

“Fortunately, no life was lost as all election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.

“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and liggage containing personnel effects of staff.

“The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5,386 and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311.

“INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area”, the Commission assured.

Meanwhile, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, also confirmed the abduction of the Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) for Ossioma in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, revealing that the incident happened on Friday.

He said the SPO, whose name was not disclosed, was abducted while waiting to board a boat to his area of assignment at Amassoma Jetty.