INEC confirms shooting in Orhionmwon, frowns at materials’ hijack in Egor

*Says votes at affected units may not count

THE Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has confirmed a shooting incident in Orhionmwon local government area, saying it was working with the police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful conduct of the ongoing governorship election.

A group of thugs had reportedly stormed Ward 9, Unit 15, shot indiscriminately into the air to scare voters away before carting away some electoral materials at the unit.

A woman identified as wife of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reportedly attacked and wounded while trying to stop the thugs from hijacking the electoral materials.

The APC has been claiming that the thugs were sponsored by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

While there has not been an official statement from the PDP concerning the incident; nobody has been arrested in connection with the electoral misconduct as well.

Reacting to the incident, INEC  said it was in receipt of images showing the alleged hijack of electoral materials in Ward 9, Unit 15 of Egor local government area, saying while it was working to put the situation under control, it may be forced to take decisive action against results generated from the affected unit.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this today in Abuja in his preliminary address at the “Edo Governorship Election Virtual Situation Control Room,” which is holding through Zoom.

Yakubu, who condemned reports of vote-buying and selling, also frowned at the violation of Covid-19 safety protocols especially with regards to the social distancing rule.

The commission added that in places where some Smart Card Readers malfunctioned, it has had to activate its backup system and has replaced all faulty card readers.

It added that the commission was not owing any of the ad hoc staff as the few that couldn’t get their stipends the previous day had been settled and now at their duty posts.