The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 748 ballot boxes were destroyed in Sunday’s attack on its Igboeze North Local Government Area office of Enugu State.
Also destroyed by arsonists who torched the office, according to the commission were 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and other equipment.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja.
He said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, briefed the headquarters of the development.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE had reported how hoodlums set the commission’s office located in Ogurute, the headquarters of Igoeze North LGA ablazed.
Okoye said 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.
He said, ”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 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 in a similar manner by unknown gunmen.
”This followed earlier attacks on the Udenu Local Government Area office on 13th May 2021 and the State Headquarters in Enugu on 16th May 2021.
”The Commission has since substantially recovered from these attacks and resumed normal activities there, including the VR and collection of PVCs.
”The Commission will continue to work with the security agencies and the emergency services to protect our facilities.”
