• Uncollected PVCs intact, 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, others lost to inferno

 

‘Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja

 

DAILY COURIER – The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has assured electorates in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) that 2023 polls will hold as scheduled in spite of the horrific attack on its office.

 

INEC’s Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) office was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen in the early hours of today Wednesday February 1 2023 according to a report by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu.

 

The spokesperson of the Commission, Festus Okoye in a statement released to DAILY COURIER said: “Despite this despicable incident, the Commission wishes to reassure the people of Idemili South LGA that contingency arrangement will be made to replace the materials and 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.”

 

He hinted that the uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) kept in the fireproof cabinet were not affected by the inferno. And no sensitive materials have been delivered to the LGA office.

“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.

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