The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that
the attacks on its facilities are now a national emergency.
The Commission came to the conclusion after an emergency
session today, hours after its office in Igboeze South Local Government Area of
Enugu State was razed.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,
Festus Okoye.
The statement read, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met in emergency session today, Monday 24th May 2021, as attacks on its facilities in some states of the Federation continue unabated.
“In the latest incidents, three offices of the Commission
came under attack in Anambra, Imo and Enugu States. The Resident Electoral
Commissioners (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji; his Imo State
counterpart, Professor Francis Ezeonu, and that of Enugu State, Emeka
Ononamadu, have reported that the attacks took place at various times on the
night of Sunday, 23rd May 2021.”
INEC stated that the attack on its headquarters in Anambra
State is a major blow to the preparation for the governorship election
scheduled for November 6 in the state.
The Commission said, “The State Headquarters office in Awka
was set ablaze in the most devastating onslaught on the Commission’s facilities
so far.
“The attackers were systematic and selective in their
targets. The Pavillion which serves as Collation Centre during major elections
was burnt down. In what is a major blow to our preparations for the
Governorship election scheduled for 6th November 2021, two stores housing
electoral materials were burnt down.
“New and old (but serviceable) electric generating machines
numbering 376 for all the Electoral Wards and the extra numbers for backup were
completely burnt. The electric generators were recently relocated from the
Local Government Area (LGAS) to the HQ in the belief that it is more secure
than the LGA offices.
“Similarly, as part of the Commission’s proactive measures
to ensure the success of the Governorship election later this year, about 50%
of the non-sensitive materials required for the November 6, 20201 Governorship
election already delivered to the State have also been lost in the fire. In
addition, seven utility vehicles (Toyota Hilux) were burnt.
“It will be recalled that following the fire incident on the
eve of the 2019 General Election in which the Smart Card Readers for the State
were destroyed, the Commission moved the replacement Smart Card Readers from
the shipping containers to the concrete store for enhanced protection.
Fortunately, the Smart Card Readers were not affected.
“Also yesterday, our office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local
Government Area was attacked at about 6.45pm in an obvious attempt to set the
building ablaze. Fortunately, the damage was limited to a section of the
building, specifically the windows and part of the roof. No electoral materials
or office equipment were destroyed.”
The statement said last night’s attack on its office in
Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State is the third the Commission
has suffered in the state in two weeks.
“At about 1.00pm yesterday, our Igboeze South LGA office was
attacked. The store was completely burnt down before the Neighborhood Watch and
the Enugu State Fire Service responded and prevented the inferno from razing
other parts of the building.
“This is the third attack on INEC facilities in the State in
less than two weeks following the destruction of our Udenu LGA office on 13th
May 2021 and the State Headquarters building in Enugu on 16th May 2021.
“All three incidents in Anambra, Imo and Enugu have been
reported to the Police for investigation.
“Although no lives were lost, these are clearly orchestrated
and targeted attacks aimed at incapacitating the Commission in conducting
electoral activities, especially in Anambra State.
“The attacks on the Commission’s facilities have now become
a national emergency. Accordingly, the Commission will brief the Government and
stakeholders on these incidents.
“In spite of these setbacks, the Commission is determined to
continue to discharge its responsibilities including the conduct of the
scheduled Anambra Governorship election,” the statement concluded.
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