Unknown arsonists have attacked the facility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu state. According to a statement issued by INEC National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye on Sunday, the attackers invaded the Secretariat late on Sunday night
The statement reads: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported that our Igboeze North Local Government Area Office was set ablaze by unknown arsonists. The attack happened at 11:48 pm on Sunday 3rd July 2022.”
It has been gathered that the arsonists overpowered the security men, forced their way into the premises, and set the structure on fire. However, no casualties were reported but 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture, and tools were destroyed despite the best efforts of the Enugu state fire service deployed to Nsukka.
The Commission is working to ascertain the status of voter registration equipment for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as well as uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) locked up in the fireproof cabinet.
The recent attack followed earlier attacks on the Udenu Local Government Area office on 13th May 2021 and the state headquarters in Education on 16th May 2021. The Commission has since substantially recovered from these attacks and re-started normal activities there, including the CVF and collection of PVCs
