(DDM) – Voting activities at the AU Suleman 003 polling unit in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory were abruptly disrupted following the reported disappearance of ballot papers, leaving voters confused and agitated.
According to reports from the scene, the election process had been progressing peacefully before tensions escalated over the sudden incident.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that an unidentified individual, accompanied by security personnel, entered the polling unit without presenting proper identification.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent at the polling unit, Bala Abubakar Hassan, narrated the sequence of events.
“Our election was moving successfully here,” Hassan said. “Unfortunately, someone came in with security personnel at his back. I asked him, please, who are you? He said he’s a local government agent but could not provide any identification. I told him to leave. That’s where the crisis occurred.”
According to Hassan, the situation worsened when security operatives allegedly deployed tear gas, causing panic among voters and party agents at the venue.
As people scattered to avoid the effects of the gas, confusion reportedly ensued, and the ballot papers were said to have gone missing in the chaos.
“Everyone was running, and that’s where the ballot paper was missing,” Hassan added.
Following the disruption, voting at the polling unit was suspended, and tensions remained high as voters expressed frustration over the interruption.
Party representatives at the venue reportedly traded accusations, with suspicions directed at members of both the PDP and the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
As of the time of reporting, authorities had not confirmed the exact circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the ballot papers.
There was also no official statement clarifying whether the ballot papers were taken, misplaced, or secured elsewhere during the disturbance.
Election officials are yet to announce a timeline for the resumption of voting at the affected polling unit.
The incident has added to concerns about security and electoral integrity in parts of the FCT during the ongoing Area Council elections.
Stakeholders are expected to await clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is responsible for supervising and conducting the polls.
Observers say the prompt resolution of the situation will be critical in restoring confidence among voters and ensuring that the process remains credible and transparent.
