Kenema — National Electoral Commission (NEC) elections officer in Kenema District Monday confirmed reports that some polling officers and security men were attacked by youths alleged to be supporters of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in Mbaama town, Wando chiefdom in Kenema District.

Philip Kargbo said the attack took place on Sunday while NEC officials were returning to Kenema after Saturday's poll.

"The attack left ballot papers, voting screens, ballot boxes and other polling station materials completely burnt," he said and pleaded with the police to launch immediate investigations that would bring the culprits to book.

Coordinator for ward 46, Sylvester Bekiewopo said he was part of the team that was attacked by the youths. He said he later reported the matter at the police station where he also made a statement.

Bekiewopo claimed that the attackers, who were in possession of cutlasses and long sticks, identified themselves as APC supporters and asserted that they were causing trouble because the election results are not in their favour.

"When we were attacked, they asked us to surrender all the elections materials to them including the compiled results. When we refused, they forcefully took the materials into the bush and burnt everything. Fortunately, the results were not in the boxes so we brought the results to the district office," he explained.

When contacted, APC chairman in Kenema district, Prince Kamara said he was informed that NEC officials were attacked and polling materials burnt but the allegation that the attackers are APC supporters is yet to be established.

Regional crime officer east, Samuel Sani Sesay confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police and that he ordered police personnel to the scene immediately and some of the suspects have been arrested. He said their matter would be charged to court without delay.

"This is a criminal offence committed not by a political party but individuals themselves so the law will deal with them individually," he said.

As part of his report of the said attack, NEC elections officer Phillip Kargbo mentioned that residents of about seven villages did not vote in the local government elections for fear of being attacked on elections day.

"According to residents of Tanaboya, Teibo Greema and Woniega, they did not vote because two days to the polls, they were attacked perpetually by unidentified youths who threatened to attack them if they go out to vote on that day. This act is unacceptable and the police need to investigate it properly," he said.