The Electoral Officer for Orlu Local Government, December Aloy Njoku as well as the INEC Returning Officer for Imo West Senatorial district have been held hostage by some unknown persons.
The development came as some persons set ablaze INEC office in Isiala Mbano.
It was gathered that the duo had announced the results of nine out of the 12 local government areas in Imo West when some discrepancies were observed.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of APC and Jones Onyereri of PDP are the leading contenders in the district.
The state REC, Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu, was said to have asked them to suspend the exercise and report to Owerri.
It was on their way that they were waylaid and abducted, our reporter learnt.
INEC spokesperson in the state, Mrs. Emmanuella Okpara, who confirmed the development, said they were being forced to make false declaration.
Okpara also confirmed the burning of INEC office at Isiala Mbano.
She said, “Yes, our office at Isiala Mbano was razed down by unknown persons in the early hours of today.
“In fact, we’re still collating the presidential results here. The commission is yet to visit the office to ascertain the level of damage.”
