Police arrest 20, three INEC officials over electoral offences in Imo

OFFICERS and men of the Imo State Police Command have arrested no fewer than 20 persons over alleged electoral offences during the governorship and House of Assembly re-run elections, which took place in 255 polling units of the 23 Local Councils of the state on Saturday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said yesterday in Owerri that three suspects, who were allegedly caught after thumb- printing and filling some ballot boxes in Oru East Local Council, claimed to be members of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said they are being investigated. The suspects in police custody, Enwerem said, were caught indulging in crimes ranging from “thuggery and thumb-printing to electoral violence”, noting that they would face the music appropriately.

He disclosed that the three arrested suspects, had allegedly thumb-printed and filled ballot boxes before 11.00 a.m. on election day.

He said: “About 20 persons were arrested for electoral offences in Oru East. Three of them who had thumb printed and filled ballot boxes before 11.00 a.m., claimed they were INEC staff. They are being investigated.”