The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says
the attacks on some of its offices are disturbing early preparations for the
2023 general election.
Over the past weeks, some INEC offices have witnessed a
spate of attacks, leading to the destruction of some sensitive and
non-sensitive materials.
Speaking on the development in an interview with Channels
Television on Monday, Festus Okoye, INEC’s spokesperson, said the attacks are
making a negative impact on the commission’s activities.
Okoye noted that the commission has lost sensitive and
non-sensitive materials, including generators and card readers.
He explained that the commission may have to rent apartments
to replace the burnt local government offices, but expressed concern that the
disposition of the landlords of such places could affect the outcome of the
election.
“In relation to some of these attacks and their
implications, you know at the local government level, the electoral officers
serve more or less as managing-directors of our elections,” he said.
“We do not conduct elections at our INEC headquarters. It is
at the base level that these elections are conducted. You also know that we
just finished verification relating to expansion of voters’ access to the
polling units. It was at the various local government offices that these were
coordinated. They coordinated the geo-referencing of the old and new polling
units.
“If you attack our
local government offices, you are attacking our capacity and capability of
conducting elections.
“So, when you displace the commission, the implication is
that the commission may have to go and look for a rented house and when the
commission goes to look for a rented office, you don’t know the political
disposition and inclination of the landlords of that office. You may just come
out on election day and find out that your offices are locked and there’s
absolutely nothing you will do about it.
“We are worried that our preparations are being distracted
and distorted. We are also worried because some of our officers are now living
in fear in relation to what is going on.
“There is no doubt whatsoever that what is going on is
unacceptable, and it’s going to divert the attention of the commission from
early preparations for the 2023 elections and for the off season elections that
we’re organising.”
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