The Bayelsa state supplementary elections in seven out of eight local governments has turned bloody and has been characterized by irregularities.
The two leading candidates, APC’s Timipre Sylva and PDP’s Seriake Dickson have traded blame for the violence.
17 people are feared dead with incidences of ballot box snatching reported across polling units. In Ogbolomabiri, Nembe LGA, five people were shot dead and two policemen were reported killed in another local government.
The elections have been mostly bloody, with low voter turn out as supporters of both parties have facilitated a violent free for all.
The PDP and the APC have released statements condemning each other for the state of affairs.
The deployment of over 5,000 security agents has done little to ensure peaceful elections.