Another INEC office attacked by hoodlums, commission relocates materials

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday lamented a fresh attack on its office in Imo State.

This was contained in a statement by the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Wednesday.

The attack which was carried out on Tuesday left eight windows smashed and burglary proofs removed.

This is the fourth attack on INEC facilities in the state in less than three weeks following previous attacks on Orlu and Oru West Local Government Areas and the state headquarters in Owerri.

However, the commission noted that ballot boxes and voting cubicles have been evacuated to another INEC facility for safekeeping.

The statement read “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Prof Sylvia Agu, has reported that our office in Isu Local Government Area office was attacked and vandalised. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

“Eight windows were smashed, and burglary proofs removed. Fortunately, the attackers could not access the building. Movable and immovable equipment as well as other materials were not removed or vandalised.

“However, as a precautionary measure, critical materials such as ballot boxes and voting cubicles have been evacuated to another INEC facility for safekeeping. Similarly, all uncollected PVCs have been secured while security will be deployed to ensure the continuous collection of the cards by registered voters in the same premises.

“The incident has been reported to the Police and other security agencies for necessary action.”