Nigerian Polling Arrests

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 19

Nigerian Polling Arrests

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LAGOS, October 12. More than 40 people were being held by police today after flare-ups as Western Nigerians went to the polls yesterday.

Most were accused of election offences—mainly the possession of several ballot papers —but some were taken into custody after violent demonstrations. Last night police used tear gas to break up a violent demonstration by voters who had waited at polling stations in Mushin, on the outskirts of Lagos, for hours for electoral officers to arrive.

At other polling stations in the same area delays were caused through the absence of ballot boxes and papers. The voters gave vent to their feelings by attacking the

houses of politicians, beating up the inmates and smashing windows. Sent To Hospital Several people were rushed to hospital, a number of them critically injured. One house was set ablaze. Elsewhere voting went smoothly, under the eye of armed police and military units, who were turned out as security measures were

further tightened and a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed. These extra measures were imposed after the killing of an officer of the electoral commission and the wounding of two others. The officers were attacked in the commission offices in Ibadan, the regional capital, on Sunday. Political leaders have been questioned by the police in connexion with the incident. One of the persons arrested

for election offences was an electoral officer in the Egbado South-east constituency. Police found 400 ballot papers in his pocket. A total of 202 candidates contested seven constituencies. Sixteen members of the outgoing Nigerian National Democratic Party, including the Premier, Chief Samuel Akintola, were returned unopposed.