The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the governorship and state assembly elections in two local government areas in Rivers state until Sunday.
The affected LGAs are Asari-Toru and parts of neighboring Degema.
The state’s resident electoral commissioner, Johnson Sinikiem, confirmed the developments to reporters in Port Harcourt on Saturday, saying the delay was due to a security breach.
“As voters refused to deploy election officials and materials for the governor and state assembly elections, elections could not be held at the above locations,” Sinikiem said.
Also read: Amaechi denounces Rivers’ voter apathy, accuses INEC of cheating in presidential election
“In the House of Representatives election, voters and other stakeholders demanded to meet with the constituencies before the election was allowed to begin.
“In Constituency 14 of the Degema LGA, voters also demanded that the SPO must come to the RAC with a reconciliation form by the reconciliation officer, thereby preventing the election from being held.
“With this in mind, and pursuant to Section 24 of the Elections Act 2022, INEC has decided to hold elections for Asari-Toru LGA and Degema LGA 14th constituency on March 19, 2023.”
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