The Independent National Electoral Commission has on Sunday evening suspended the Ekiti Assembly bye-election indefinitely.
This decision was disclosed in a statement released by the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
INEC suspended the poll after some thugs invasion led to the death of at least three persons participating in the Ekiti State East 1 State Constituency Bye-Election.
The statement partly read, “The commission made adequate arrangements for the election. Personnel and materials arrived on time in all the 39 Polling Units spread across five wards of the constituency for the 23,670 registered voters to exercise their franchise in a free and fair process.
“However, no sooner had the voting commenced than unidentified gunmen unleashed mayhem at some polling units, thereby disrupting the process.
“Unfortunately, some innocent voters were shot dead, while a policeman, some INEC regular and ad hoc staff who sustained gunshot injuries during the melee are receiving medical attention.
“The 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.”
