Gunmen set INEC office @Idemili South LGA ablaze - ITREALMS

Some unidentified gunmen have set albaze the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at teh Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, reports ITREALMS.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, confirmed this, saying their office in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen.
"The incident occurred in the early hours of today Wednesday 1st February 2023," she said.

A press statement available to and signed by the National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye Esq and made available to ITREALMS, said the building was substantially damaged.

"All furniture and other items were destroyed, including non-sensitive materials recently delivered in readiness for the 2023 General Election," he said.

Okoye also lised some of the items lost to the inferno to include 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, 1 electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum.

INEC, he said, however, noted that uncollected Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) kept in the fireproof cabinet were not affected by the inferno.

"Similarly, no sensitive materials have been delivered to the LGA office," he said, alleging that the destruction appeared to have been coordinated as the Nnobi Police Station in the LGA was similarly attacked.

Despite this despicable incident, the Commission reassured the people of Idemili South LGA that contingency arrangement will be made to replace the materials and the Presidential and National Assembly elections will proceed on 25th February 2023 as scheduled, to be followed two weeks later by the State House of Assembly election.

Fred Nweke in Awka/Editor