Nigeria, Nov. 17 -- There was a high level of irregularities perpetrated by political thugs and some security officials at the November 16 governorship election in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

Observers witnessed ballot box snatching, disappearance of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, harassment of journalists and observers, delays in arrival of voting materials and spontaneous protests.

The irregularities broke out shortly after the exercise began on Saturday morning, as supporters of the two dominant political parties - Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress - attempted to coerce voters.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that while thugs invaded some polling units, security officers were induced by p...