Politics
Four die in Ekiti election violence, INEC suspends exercise
At least four people have been shot dead as violence marred Saturday’s by-election in Ekiti East Constituency 1 of Ekiti State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) organized the by-election to fill the void created by the death of a member of the State House of Assembly from the constituency, Juwa Adegbuyi.
However, the violence has forced the commission to suspend the exercise.
In a statement titled: “Situation Report on Ekiti East State Constituency 1 by- election,” signed by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Tella Adeniran, the commissioner said the election began in a peaceful manner until some gunmen started shooting sporadically.
The statement read: “In PU 07, ward 03, three voters were shot dead while a youth corps member, a policewoman and an INEC staff sustained gunshot wounds.
READ ALSO: Ekiti Assembly by-election to hold March 30
“It is unfortunate that despite the effort of the commission in giving Nigerians free, fair, credible and inclusive elections some people appear to be unprepared for an improved electoral process.
“The situation is such that a conducive environment no longer exists for further electoral activities at the PUs and the collation centers.
“In view of this development, the commission has suspended the election forthwith.”
The police officer reportedly died a few minutes later at the Omuo-Ekiti General Hospital where the victims were rushed to for treatment.
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