The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, 1 electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum was burnt in the Anambra INEC office inferno.
National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye in a press statement on Wednesday said, the incident occurred in the early hours of today Tuesday 1st February 2023.
Okoye stated that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, reported that our office in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen.
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.
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.
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.