Ignatius Okakpu
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has lost vital items after its office was attacked by unknown gunmen in Anambra State.
According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, the office located in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen.
The incident occurred in the early hours of today Wednesday 1st February 2023.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, of INEC, corroborating the information said the building was substantially damaged and 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, Okoye said that uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) kept in the fireproof cabinet were not affected by the inferno and that 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.
Despite this despicable incident, the Commission reassured 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.
