By Chioma Onuegbu

AN Electoral Officer sent to Udung Uko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emeka Adizua, has said he narrowly escaped being attacked by political thugs.

INEC

Adizua, who made this known yesterday at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, state Collation Centre, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, said the violence and snatching of ballot boxes by the thugs marred elections in the entire council.

He added that all the INEC ad hoc staff deployed for the presidential and National Assembly elections last Saturday were attacked by the hoodlums.

His words: “The thugs were led by one Okon. They took away card readers and held some ad hoc staff hostage. If not for the Area Commander, Oron, maybe I would have been dead by now.

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“The entire council was marred by violence and snatching of ballot boxes by the political thugs. That is why there is no result from the area.”

Reacting, Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Mr. Mike Igini, described the situation as unfortunate.

Igini, who warned politicians against creating chaotic situations that mar elections, said: “The consequence of that action is that there will be no result from that area. Intimidation is getting too much. Please, stop it.

“We are out for openness, but politicians are out for chaos. The era of ballot box snatching and writing of result is over.”