The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in the Igboeze North Local Government Area office in Enugu State has been set ablaze by arsonists.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja.
According to Okoye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Enugu State, Mr Emeka Ononamadu, informed the INEC headquarters that during the attack, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture, and other equipment were destroyed, despite the best efforts of the Enugu State Fire Service, which was 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,” Okoye said.
He also said that the incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police for investigation and further action.
He said the attack, which occurred in the midst of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for the 2023 General Election, is worrisome.
“It will be recalled that on 23rd May 2021, our office in the neighbouring Igboeze South Local Government Area was attacked similarly by unknown gunmen. This followed earlier attacks on the Udenu Local Government Area office on May 13, 2021, and the State Headquarters in Enugu on May 16, 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,” Okoye said.
