July 04, (THEWILL) – The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State has been razed down by suspected arsonists.
The Commission, in a statement signed by its National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the incident happened on Sunday night.
According to the statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu, Emeka Ononamadu, reported that the attack happened at 11.48pm on Sunday.
The commission said the arsonists overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze.
The statement reads in part: “The State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Emeka Ononamadu, reported that our Igboeze North Local Government Area office was set ablaze by unknown arsonists. The attack happened at 11.48pm on Sunday, July 3, 2022.
“The arsonists overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze.
“Although no casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed, in spite of the best efforts of the Enugu State Fire Service deployed from Nsukka.
“The Commission is working to ascertain the status of voter registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as well as uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) locked up in the fireproof cabinet.
“The incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police for investigation and further action.
“The attack, coming in the middle of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for the 2023 general election, is worrisome. It would be recalled that on May 23, 2021, our office in the neighbouring Igboeze South Local Government Area was attacked in a similar manner by unknown gunmen.
“This followed earlier attacks on Udenu Local Government Area office on 13th May 2021 and the State Headquarters in Enugu on 16th May 2021. The commission has since substantially recovered from these attacks and resumed normal activities there, including the CVR and collection of PVCs.
“The commission will continue to work with the security agencies and the emergency services to protect our facilities.”
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