The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced that it has suspended further action with regards to the legislative re-run election in Rivers State, until it has received positive reports from its Field Officials and Monitors on the state of security in the affected constituencies.

This was contained in a statement released late on Thursday by the commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi.

The Statement noted the INEC had, in adherence to a judgement by the Court of Appeal, conducted elections into various seats in both the National and State Assemblies on March 19, 2016, but unfortunately, the exercise was marred by violence orchestrated by politicians in the state.

It read: “Of more serious concern was the level of threats, violence and intimidation of election officials and voters by well-armed thugs and miscreants allegedly acting on behalf of some politicians, which marred the elections in some areas.

“There were reports of numerous attacks resulting in fatalities, kidnappings, ballot snatching, diversion of officials and materials, amongst others, which necessitated its suspension in 8 Local Government Areas.

“Regrettably, such deviant behaviour has continued today. Several permanent and ad hoc staff engaged have been attacked, again resulting in fatalities, while some have been forcibly abducted and taken to presently unknown destinations.”

The INEC spokesman stated that the commission was only able “to collate and declare results in 1 Federal and 9 State constituencies where the disruption and malpractices were not so widespread.”

Consequently, the electoral umpire said that it was “compelled to suspend all further action concerning the exercise in all the other constituencies in the State pending the receipt of a comprehensive report from its Field Officials and Monitors.”

He however added “that the suspension does not affect the constituencies where the exercise has been completed and the results declared by the Returning Officers.”