2023: Again, INEC Office In Imo Attacked By Hoodlums

By Akinwale Kasali

For the fourth time in less than three weeks, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s  office in Imo State has been attacked  by hoodlums.

The Commission’s facilities in the State had earlier been vandalized in Orlu Local Government, Oru Local Government and in the State Capital, Owerri.

In a Statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Wednesday INEC facilities, another attack waa carried out on Tuesday, leaving eight windows smashed and burglary proofs removed.

It also noted that ballot boxes and voting cubicles had been evacuated to another INEC facility for safe keeping, including 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.”