Political Party agents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) clashed at Polling Unit (PU) 046, Ward 19, Elekahia in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
According to Reports by ICIR, the argument ensued after the presiding officer for the unit announced that there are only 50 ballot papers for the governorship elections and 60 for the State House of Assembly, despite the unit having 89 registered voters.
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“This is because of the low turnout of voters at this unit during the last elections held here. Out of 89, we had only 28. That is the reason they provided this figure. If these ones are finished we can make calls to our superiors for more,” the presiding officer said.
However, the party agents insisted that voting would not begin until ballot papers are complete.
“Even if it is only five persons that vote here, the remaining papers should be cancelled,” the APC agent yelled.
The agents also insisted that calls be placed to the INEC for more ballot papers before the voting could proceed.
The reports also noted that at various other units in Elekahia, ballot papers were less than the number of voters registered.
At PU 073, Ward 19, there were 200 registered voters for the unit, however, there were 148 ballot papers for the state House of Assembly and 200 sheets for the governorship election.
At PU 074, Ward 19, there were 183 registered voters but 177 sheets for governorship and 129 for the State House of Assembly elections.