A Boat carrying election personnel to registration area 17, Koluama in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State for the governoeship election in the State, Friday, capsized.

Fortunately, all the twelve officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the boat operator were rescued.

A Supervisory Presiding Officer assigned to Area 6, in Sagbamu local government, was also kidnappes in a separate incident at Amassoma Jetty 

A release by Wilfred Ifogah, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity in Bayelsa State, confirmed the development.

According to the electoral body, electoral materials including result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personnal belongings of staff, were lost to the incident.

"We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to registration area 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized.

"Fortunately, no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.

“We however lost our result sheets, power banks, and luggage containing personal effects of staff.

“The total number of registered voters in the affected registration areas is 5,368, and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311.

"INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.

“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to registration area 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board at Amassoma jetty.

“The security agencies have been notified," the statement read.

INEC is conducting off-cycle governorship polls in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi on November 11.