More assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came under attack in Imo, Anambra and Enugu states on Monday.
The Commission’s office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo, the state headquarters in Awka, Anambra capital and Igboeze South LGA office in Enugu were burnt.
INEC, in a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, described the escalating attacks as a national emergency.
Okoye stated: “In the latest incidents, three offices of the Commission came under attack in Anambra, Imo and Enugu States.
“The resident electoral commissioners for Anambra, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji; his Imo counterpart, Prof Francis Ezeonu, and that of Enugu, Emeka Ononamadu, have reported that the attacks took place at various times on the night of Sunday, 23rd May 2021.
“The state headquarters in Awka was set ablaze in the most devastating onslaught on the Commission’s facilities so far. The attackers were systematic and selective in their targets.
“The pavilion which serves as collation centre during major elections was burnt down.
“In what is a major blow to our preparations for the governorship election scheduled for 6th November 2021, two stores housing electoral materials were burnt down.
“New and old (but serviceable) electric generating machines numbering 376 for all the electoral wards and the extra numbers for backup were completely burnt.
“The electric generators were recently relocated from the LGA) to the state headquarters in the belief that it is more secure than the LGA offices”, Okoye stated.
Okoye said non-sensitive materials were also destroyed in the Anambra incident.
