Rivers rerun: Disregard further declaration of results - INEC

– The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers state has expressed worry that unauthorized election results

– Aniedi  Ikiowak, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) said any result declared after the commission’s official declaration is not recognized

– He said the only results recognized by INEC are those of eight state constituencies and one federal constituency.

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers state has expressed worry that unauthorized individuals are declaring results even when it had officially suspended such exercise until further notice.

The commission said it is not aware of the declaration of results for Port-Harcourt city federal and state constituencies rerun elections for which the the Peoples Democratic Party (PD), All Progressive Congress (APC) is claiming victory.

Aniedi  Ikiowak, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) at a press briefing in Port-Harcourt said any result declared after the commission’s official declaration on March 21st 2016 is not recognized by INEC.

Ikoiwak stated that there consultations among stakeholders on which way forward;whether to continue the collation,announce results or the next step to take.

He said the only results recognized by INEC are those of eight State Constituencies and one Federal Constituency.

Ikoiwak also maintained that the commission has suspended further declaration of results of Saturday’s rerun elections in the state until after assessment and consultation with critical stakeholders.

He also confirmed the death of a youth corps member during the rerun election in Ahoada West local government

In a related development,Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has said that no official of INEC, has the authority to cancel results already confirmed by the returning officers in the respective districts or constituencies.

He spoke against the framework of the insistence by the state REC, that the commission had not released any results apart from the one federal constituency and nine state constituencies announced earlier this week.