Following widespread violence, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the bye-election for the Port Harcourt Constituency lll State Assembly seat held on Saturday.
The bye-election was to fill the vacancy in the state House of Assembly following the emergence of Mr. Victor Ihunwo as the chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers, Mr Obo Effanga, who announced the suspension of the exercise said there was so much violence.
He said the action of INEC followed the dictate of Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010.
No date has however been announced for a repeat of the exercise.
The election witnessed widespread violence with electoral officers attacked by hoodlums who were out to snatch ballot boxes.
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Attacks were carried out at Obiri Okah, Ward 10, Polling Units 023 & 024 in Nkpolu-Oroworukwu community.
It was gathered that some thugs who stormed a polling centre were prevented by unarmed police officers.
The thugs resorted to throwing stones and bottles.
Later, they brought out guns and started shooting to scare electoral officers.
However, a patrol van soon came and the police fired shots and rescued the polling officers, National Youth Service Corps members and election materials.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident.
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