Bayelsa gov poll: INEC set to announce new date

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to consult with critical stakeholders as a prelude to the announcement of the date for the election in Southern Ijaw which was cancelled due to violence, ballot box snatching and hostage taking of electoral officials.

Yesterday, the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) which is co-chaired by the INEC Chairman and the National Security Adviser (NSA) met to review the situation from a security perspective.

According to INEC Daily Bulletin, the Commission will today engage with the National Chairmen/ National Secretaries of Political Parties contesting the yet to be concluded Bayelsa governorship election and their respective governorship candidates.

On Friday, December 18, 2015, the Commission will engage with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Media.

It could be recalled that on Monday, December 7, 2015, the Commission cancelled the election in Southern Ijaw due to violence, ballot box snatching and hostage taking of electoral officials.

The INEC had announced the result of the election in all local governments except Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

Southern Ijaw Local Government Area which is principally riverine has a total of 120,827 registered voters. Bayelsa state has a total of 663,639 registered voters.