INEC laments ‘systematic attacks’ in latest arson on its Imo facilities
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Arsonists torched the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Oru West Council in Imo on Sunday, the second such attack in the state in 72 hours and the seventh in five states in the past four months.
The latest came three days after hoodlums on 1 December vandalised INEC Orlu Council in Imo, besides attacks in Ogun, Osun, and Ebonyi within three weeks in November.
However, INEC has lamented that there have been 50 attacks overall on its offices across 21 states.
“The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Agu, has reported that our office in Oru West LGA was attacked around 4am today, Sunday, December 4,” INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed in a statement on Sunday.
“The attack affected the Conference Room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed. However, other critical facilities were not affected.
“It would be recalled that on Thursday, December 1st, 2022, our office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was also attacked.
“Overall, this is the 7th attack on our facilities in five States of the Federation in the last four months.
“Once again, the commission expresses its concern on the consequences of what appears to be a systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general.
“The attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this latest incident for investigation and prosecution.”
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Sensitives election materials secure
Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 25 February 2023, Governorship and State House of Assembly elections for 11 March 2023.
Okoye explained on Channels Television sensitive materials for the ballots are not in facilities recently vandalized.
“I just want to assure the nation that our sensitive materials are not in any of these places where these attacks have occurred.
“We have secured the BVAS and other sensitive materials that will be used in the conduct of this election. Those materials are not in any of these facilities that are being attacked.”
He said INEC is working closely with security agencies to forestall a recurrence of attacks on its facilities.