Voting at Polling Unit 018, Umunomu ward in Ehime Mbano Local Government, has been suspended as Imo state’s governorship election is underway.
According to accounts, a brawl broke out among political party members when allegations of vote-buying surfaced, leading to the suspension.
To avoid further escalation of the already violent scenario among political parties and supporters, INEC officials stationed at the polling unit were forced to halt further voting.
News About Nigeria gathered that heavy security personnel were sent to the polling unit to de-escalate the tensions between the political parties.
“There has been a fight between members of different political parties at PU018, Umunomu ward, Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State as a result of suspected vote-buying,” the report said.
The commission expressed fears about a potential violent breakout in the states of Kogi and Imo before to the off-cycle poll.
According to the security assessment, there was little violence in Bayelsa State but a high degree of security risk in Kogi and Imo States.
YIAGA, a well-known civil society organisation, earlier informed reporters that it was concerned about a possible outbreak of violence in the run-up to the off-cycle election.
The CSO voiced concern in its pre-election statement regarding the blatant abuse of incumbency powers demonstrated by campaign restrictions, the imposition of fines and fees on campaign signs, and assaults on political opponents.
The organisation expressed worry that “The lack of accountability for the fatalities and attacks recorded in the pre-election period deepens the culture of impunity pervading the electoral process.”
