The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the recent attacks on its facilities, if not checked, may jeopardise the conduct of 2023 elections and other future polls
INEC’s Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said this in a statement issued yesterday, while confirming the arsonist attack on the commission’s office in Akwa Ibom.
Reacting to the havoc wreaked by some miscreants on the INEC office in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State, Okoye restated that security guard on duty escaped unhurt but the destruction to the building and properties therein was extensive.
“Items destroyed include 345 ballot boxes, 135 voting cubicles, megaphones, water tanks and office furniture.
“The police, which have also been battling with attacks on its facilities and personnel in the area, are aware of the incident and have commenced investigation,” Okoye said.
The national commissioner said attack on INEC offices is becoming exasperating recalling that on the eve of the 2019 General Election, the commission’s newly constructed prototype LGA office in Ibesikpo Asutan was burnt down while two more offices in Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo LGAs were bombed.
“The recent attack on our facility after we have just concluded the inventory of electoral materials nationwide in readiness for the 2023 General Election is worrisome.
“If unchecked, these attacks may constitute a setback on the Commission’s preparations, including the ongoing conversion of Voting Points to Polling Units, the forthcoming Continuous Registration of Voters (CRV) and the conduct of polls,” he said.
He said that, nevertheless, the Commission wished to assure Nigerians that it would leave no stone unturned to recover from the incident in Akwa Ibom as it continued to prepare for all electoral activities.
