….to conduct supplementary polls in three constituencies
The National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the final result of the State House of Assembly in Bayelsa State with PDP retaining 15 seats while loosing Five seats to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Also declared as inclusive by INEC were the Brass 1, Ogbia 2 and Southern Ijaw 4 constituencies due to alleged hijack of ballot boxes and other forms of electoral anomaly. Supplementary poll is expected to be conducted on affected areas.
The Ogbia constituency 2 is where the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan voted.
The result showed that the APC, who had one seat in the State House of Assembly in 2015 , has increased the number to Four out of the 24 members state Assembly.
Among those who emerged as APC State Assembly member-elect are Mr. Wilson Ayakpo (Ekeremor 2), Mr. Edward Irigha(Nembe 2),, Douglas Samson (Membership 3) and Ominous Ayonatimiyo (Brass 2).
The PDP however returned about four members of the State House of Assembly including the Deputy Speaker, Abraham Ngobere (Brass 3) and Hon. Tonye Isenah (Kolga 2) for the third term. While the duo of Hon. Ben Ololo (Nembe 1), Koku Obiya (Yenagoa 2) we’re returned for second term.
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However APC supporters in Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 have expressed the confidence of winning the expected supplementary poll due to the 2,501 lead declared favour of their candidate, Dr. Selekaye Victor-Ben in Olodiama 1,2 , Apoi and Foropa. Ukubie and Koluama votes were cancelled.
The newly elected members for the PDP include the Former Chairman of the Ijaw Youths Council (Central Zone), Barr. Tari Porri, the Former Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Council and Special Adviser to Bayelsa Governor on Oil and Gas, Hon. Bonny Ayah.
Mr Wilfred Ifogah, INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity in the state, has however explained that the reason for declaring three constituencies inconclusive by the Electoral Body was due failure to follow the INEC regulations and guidelines for the conduct of 2019 general elections.
“21 result fully declared and winners returned while three were declared inconclusive with due reference to INEC regulations and guidelines for the conduct of 2019 general elections.
“Clause 10 (10), mandatory use of smart card readers. Clause 28 (b) collation at ward level and clause 43 (b), careful review of activities by the Management Team informed by the reports as stated by the collation Officers and Returning Officers duly appointed,” he stated.
He noted that the commission would in due time inform stakeholders in the state of the new date to conduct supplementary elections in the three affected constituencies
