The re-run elections in Southern- Ijaw and Ekeremor local government areas of Bayelsa State were yesterday marred by low turn out and boycott by some candidates of the opposition parties over improper arrangement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While the low turn out in most units in Southern Ijaw was attributed to the decision of the candidate of the Allaince of Democracy (AD), Victor-Ben Tedieie to boycott the election and the lack of proper voters sensitisation, the low turn in Ekeremor was attributed to threat of violence.
The former speaker of the state’s house of assembly, Hon Kombowei Benson, after accreditation and voting in Ward 3,Unit 2 of Kokorosei in Southern Ijaw area, described the election as peaceful and that the low turn was due to anger against the annulment of his election.
Reports from voting centres showed the absence of most polling agents of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Alliance for Democracy(AD).
Some supporters of the candidate of the APC, Hon Ebifagh Orunimighe alleged that voters were being intimidated by armed men and security personnel in favour of the PDP candidate, Kombowei Benson.
Earlier in his statement boycotting the re-run election, Hon Victor Ben Eridei, the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD)said his decision was based on poor timing and non compliance with the Court of Appeal order.
Hon Victor Ben Eridei, in a statement issued on Friday night, stated that the processes of annulment of the election victory of the PDP candidate,Hon Kombowei Benson, the final obedience to the court order and the fixing of March 5 date have turned the election into a sham and an open disobedience to Court order.
Eridei noted that the Court of Appeal judgement was delivered on December 9, 2015 and after series of deliberate disobedience to court order, the PDP candidate, Hon Kombowei Benson stepped down on February 10, 2016
Source: [Leadership]
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