Anambra: Again, INEC Office Attacked By Gunmen, Buildings And Election Materials Razed To Ashes

With few weeks to the 2023 General election, gunmen have again attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Anambra state.

This time, the attack was on INEC’s Idimili South Local Government area office, where virtually every electoral materials were burnt to ashes.

According to a statement by the National Commissioner & Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, reported the incident.

Dr. Agwu said the office in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen in the early hours of today Wednesday 1st February 2023.

According to her, “The building was substantially damaged. All furniture and other items were destroyed, including non-sensitive materials recently delivered in readiness for the 2023 General Election. Among the items lost to the inferno are 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, 1 electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum.

“However, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) kept in the fireproof cabinet were not affected by the inferno. Similarly, no sensitive materials have been delivered to the LGA office.

“The destruction appears to have been coordinated as the Nnobi Police Station in the LGA was similarly attacked.”

Mr Okoye however, assured that despite this despicable incident, contingency arrangement would be made to replace the materials, stressing that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will proceed on 25th February 2023 as scheduled, to be followed two weeks later by the State House of Assembly election.