Three dead in Ekiti Bye-election; INEC Suspends Exercise

21 Mar Three dead in Ekiti Bye-election; INEC Suspends Exercise

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the immediate suspension of Saturday’s House of Assembly bye -election in Ekiti State following bloody attacks during the exercise.

Three persons, including a policewoman, were shot dead and six others were injured. Among the injured were a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, an official of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and two policemen.

Dr Tella Adeniran, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, made this known in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, and also confirmed that three persons were shot dead during the exercise.

“The Ekiti East State Constituency I bye-election which started at 8.30 a.m. today witnessed 100 percent opening of polls at 8.30 a.m.

“The exercise commenced on a good note in a peaceful and orderly manner. “However, at about 10.00 am, there were reported cases of violence: in two Polling Units of Ward 09 (Obadore IV); Polling Unit 8 (Baba Egbe/Odouro /Odoule) and Polling Unit 9 (Beside Baba Egbe/Odouru/Odoule I), Polling Unit 07 (Aro street/Aro) of Ward 07 (Obadore lI).

“In PU 07, Ward 07, three voters were shot dead while a youth corps member, a police woman and an INEC staff sustained gunshot wounds. “Under this circumstance, the safety of electoral officials, security personnel and election materials as well as the credibility of the process cannot be guaranteed.

“The State Commissioner of Police is fully aware of the situation,” Adeniran said.

Governor Kayode Fayemi in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, has pledged that the attackers will not go scot-free. He commiserated with the bereaved families and the injured and asked the police to fish out any one involved in the violence irrespective of his political affiliation.