Violence, ballot snatching mar Rivers by-election

Despite heavy presence of security agents, sporadic shooting and ballot snatching were witnessed at some units in Rivers State during yesterday’s by-election to fill a vacant seat in Port Harcourt Constituency 3, in state House of Assembly.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed said on Friday that about 1500 security personnel were deployed for the by-election.

Our correspondent learnt that there was shooting around Mile 3 axis and some other units of Port Harcourt city during the election.

The shooting started immediately electoral materials arrived Obaziolu Community, which covers units seven, eight and nine in Ward 18 in Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.

Electoral materials were reportedly carted away while some were destroyed by political thugs during the shooting at the three units in Ward 18 Obaziolu, the unit of the candidate of the PDP.

In some units within Mile 2 and Mile 3, it was gathered that materials arrived early and accreditation and other activities went on smoothly.

At the time of filing the report, collation of results had commenced at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

Four political parties participated in the election for the constituency which became vacant when the former occupant , Victor Ihunwo resigned to contest for local government chairmanship election.