Attack on our office won’t affect Anambra election – INEC

Contrary to fears going on in some quarters, the recent fire attack on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Awka by hoodlums will not hamper the forthcoming Anambra gubernatorial election slated for November 6.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, explaining that only less than 50 per cent of non-sensitive materials to be used for the election were lost in the attack.

Describing the attack on INEC State Headquarters in Awka as the most devastating onslaught on the commission’s facilities so far, Okoye said the attacks was clearly orchestrated and targeted at incapacitating the commission to prevent it from conducting electoral activities, especially in Anambra.

“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 Nov. 6, two stores housing electoral materials were also 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 local government areas (LGAs) to the State HQ in the belief that it is more secure than the LGA offices. Similarly, as part of the commission’s proactive measures to ensure success of the governorship election later this year, about 50 per cent of the non-sensitive materials required for the Nov. 6, governorship election already delivered to the state have also been lost in the fire. In addition, seven utility vehicles (Toyota Hilux) were burnt,” Okoye said.