The Abia state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Joseph Ilo says the suspects arrested with uncollected permanent voters’ cards in Umuahia, are INEC staff on official duty.
Briefing the press in Umuahia, ILO said the workers were directed to return all the uncollected PVCs from the seventeen Local Government Areas to the commission’s headquarters but were misunderstood by the police, who intercepted and arrested them.
The REC called on the Nigerian police to release the INEC workers who he said are doing their legitimate duties.
When contacted, the Abia state police public relations officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the arrest and assured that the INEC workers will soon be released.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner confirmed that materials sent out for the presidential and national assembly elections have since been returned, as a result of postponement by the commission.
