The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has expressed reservation over the state of fire incidents involving it’s facilities in some states across the federation.
Indications from the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Enugu State Emeka Ononamadu reveals that the INEC office in Udenu Local Government Area was set ablaze.
No casualties was reported in the incident which occurred around 8.40pm on Thursday 13th May 2021,however despite the efforts of the Enugu State Fire Service to contain the inferno, the office building was extensively damaged while electoral materials and office equipment were destroyed.
A signed statement by the National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye indicates that the attention of the Police has been drawn to this yet another very worrisome development for investigation especially as it is the
third incident involving INEC’s Local Government offices in three States in less than two weeks.
“First, there was the destruction of the office in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom State on 2nd May 2021. This was followed by the fire at the Ohafia LGA office in Abia State on 9th May 2021.
This is yet another setback to the Commission’s ongoing activities and preparations for upcoming electoral activities” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Commission has resolved to convene an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) next week to discuss this disturbing trend as the unfortunate incident calls for an immediate review of the measures necessary to secure INEC’s assets across the States.
Consequently, the Commission is convening an emergency meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Wednesday 19th May 2021 in Abuja ahead of the meeting of ICCES.
It further expressed it’s commitment to continue to discharge its responsibilies, including the conclusion of the expansion of voters’ access to Polling Units, resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), capacity-building activities, the review of the draft Strategic Plan 2022-2026, engagement with stakeholders as well as all scheduled and pending elections.
