With barely 22 days to the February 25 presidential poll, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has suffered further loss as hoodlums attacked its Idemili South local government areas
INEC in a statement issued Wednesday by the Commission’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed that the attack which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday led to the damage of the office building, as well as loss of ballot boxes, voting cubicle, election bags electric power generators as well as large quantity of non sensitive materials which were delivered to the office in readiness fr the upcoming elections
“According Okoye, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, reported that our office in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred in the early hours of today Tuesday 1st February 2023.
“The building was substantially damaged. All furniture and other items were destroyed, including non-sensitive materials recently delivered in readiness for the 2023 General Election. Among the items lost to the inferno are 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, 1 electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum.
“However, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) kept in the fireproof cabinet were not affected by the inferno. Similarly, no sensitive materials have been delivered to the LGA office.
“The destruction appears to have been coordinated as the Nnobi Police Station in the LGA was similarly attacked.”
INEC however noted that “despite this despicable incident, the Commission wishes to reassure the people of Idemili South LGA that contingency arrangement will be made to replace the materials and the Presidential and National Assembly elections will proceed on 25th February 2023 as scheduled, to be followed two weeks later by the State House of Assembly election.”