By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise were on Wednesday attacked by unknown gunmen in Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area.
Consequently, the Ward level registration of voters in Igboeze North has been suspended.
This was confirmed in a statement yesterday by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye in Abuja.
The matter, according to the statement by Okoye, was reported by the Commission’s Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okwuonu.
Okwuonu reported that at about 2.30pm on Wednesday 13th July 2023 , INEC officials involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise were attacked by unknown gunmen in Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area.
The gunmen, the statement indicated, fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials.
According to Okoye’s statement, “The Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okwuonu, reported that at about 2.30pm on Wednesday 13th July 2023 , our officials involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise were attacked by unknown gunmen in Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area.
“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials.
“In the ensuing stampede, one of our staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital.
“However, two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost.
Consequently, Ward level registration of voters in Igboeze North is hereby suspended.
“It will be recalled that on 3rd July 2022, our office in Ogboeze North Local Government Area was burnt down by unknown arsonists. In spite of the attack, the Commission was able to continue with Ward level registration with the assistance of vigilantes provided by the Local Government authority. It is one of the centres that has now been attacked.
“The incident has been reported to the Police for investigation”, it said.
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