By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State has been set ablaze by unknown arsonists.
This was confirmed in a statement yesterday by an INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye in Abuja.
The incident, according to Okoye, has been formally reported to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu.
The attack happened at 11.48pm on Sunday, 3rd July 2022.
The incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police for investigation and further action.
The arsonists, according to the statement, overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze.
The statement showed that while no casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed in spite of the best effort of the Enugu State Fire Service deployed from Nsukka.
The Commission revealed that it 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 statement by Okoye reads, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. 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 3rd July 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 effort 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 2023 General Election, is worrisome.
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