Why We suspended Supplementary Election In Bayelsa – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it suspended supplementary election in Bayelsa State because of a court order.

The electoral commission had announced for March 23 for the supplementary elections in the three affected state constituencies namely Brass constituency 1, Ogbia constituency 2 and Southern Ijaw constituency IV.

According to him in Brass Constituency 1, supplementary election would hold in polling units 11 to 16, Ward 6 (Cape Formoso).

Ifogah said in Ogbia Constituency 11 elections would hold in 65 polling units which covers 19 polling units in Ward 2 (Otuokpti), 19 units Ward 3 (Ologi), 21 units in Ward 4 (Ayama) and six units in Ward 5(Okodi).

He stated that 53 polling units are affected in Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, which includes 34 polling units in Ward 16 (Ukubie) and 19 polling units in Ward 17 (Koluama).

However, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Monday Udoh Tom explained the supplementary election in Brass Constituency 1 would be put on hold. According to him this is consequent an interlocutory order of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa in suit No FHC/YNG/2019 dated March 22

“As a law abiding agency, the Commission will inform stakeholders as soon as the court order is dispensed with on Brass Constituency 1,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate in Brass Constituency 1, Preye Brodericks had approached the Federal High Court filing an ex-parte motion to compel INEC to include other polling units omitted by the Commission for the supplementary election.

Justice Ekwo Inyang, in granting the order, the court ruled that INEC should aside polling unit 1-10, also includes polling units 1-10 and 17 to 21 of Ward 6 in Brass Constituency 1 of the state on March 23 supplementary election or any other day determined by the defendant (INEC).