By Samuel Oyadongha
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Thursday, said two of its Direct Data Capturing, DDC, machines have been stolen in Oporoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The disappearance of the machines meant for wards in Oporoma is coming on the heels of an alleged plot by certain persons to skew the ongoing voters registration exercise in the state.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Engr Edwin  Nwatalari, while briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, however, assured that the theft of the machines would not affect the exercise, adding that the DDC machines would be worthless since they had been configured.

The REC said information about the stolen machines was relayed to his office by the electoral officers deployed to the area, adding that security agencies have been notified about the development.

“Security agencies are working round the clock to ensure the recovery of the stolen machines as well as bringing the culprits to book,” he said.

He admitted that the commission was lacking adequate personnel in some areas of the state, stressing that some corps members deployed to the coastal areas declined the posting in spite of efforts put in place by the commission for their security.

This, according to him, was partly responsible for slow pace of work in the coastal areas.