Seven hundred and twenty nine ballot boxes,243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags were among election materials destroyed in Idemili South Local Government Area offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission when gunmen carried out a coordinated attack of the area on Wednesday.
Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, the Resident Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, reported the shocking development to INEC headquarters, according to a statement released by Barrister Festus Okoye .
He said the assailants attacked and set ablaze the offices as well as destroyed 11 megaphones,1 electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum.
The Permanent Voters Card stored in a fireproof cabinet was not affected by the fire,Okoye said,adding that”the destruction appears to have been coordinated as the Nnobi Police Station in the LGA was similarly attacked”.
He assured that the despicable act will not stop INEC from conducting the general election.
He said 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.