Imo: Again, hoodlums attack INEC office

The Independent National Electoral Commission has lamented the attack of its office in Imo State.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Wednesday.

The attack, which was carried out on Tuesday, left eight windows smashed and burglary proofs removed.

This is the fourth attack on INEC facilities in Imo State in less than three weeks, following previous attacks on Orlu and Oru West Local Government Areas and the state headquarters in Owerri.

However, the Commission noted that ballot boxes and voting cubicles had been evacuated to another INEC facility for safe keeping.

It stated that the uncollected Permanent Voters Cards have been secured as well.

The statement read “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Agu, has reported that our office in Isu Local Government Area office was attacked and vandalised. The incident occurred at the early hours of Tuesday, 20th December 2022.

“Eight windows were smashed, and burglary proofs removed. Fortunately, the attackers could not access the building. Movable and immovable equipment as well as other materials were not removed or vandalised.

“However, as a precautionary measure, critical materials such as ballot boxes and voting cubicles have been evacuated to another INEC facility for safe keeping.

“Similarly, all uncollected PVCs have been secured while security will be deployed to ensure the continuous collection of the cards by registered voters in the same premises.

“The incident has been reported to the Police and other security agencies for necessary action.

“This is the fourth attack on INEC facilities in Imo State in less than three weeks following previous attacks on Orlu and Oru West Local Government Areas and the State Headquarters in Owerri.” Punch