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… over 65,000 uncollected PVCs, 904 ballot boxes, 8 generators razed
…summons emergency meeting with stakeholders
Blessing Akorowosi, Osogbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has berated the attacks on its offices in Osun and Ogun state on Thursday morning.
The commission also frowned at rising incidents of attacks on supporters of various political parties since the commencement of campaign about two months ago as well as the use of hate and incendiary language by politicians.
A release issued by the National Commissioner & Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye on Thursday revealed that an emergency meeting will hold on Friday in view of these occurrences.
Okoye explained, “this morning, the Commission received two disturbing reports of attacks on our Local government offices in Ogun and Osun States.
“The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, Dr. Niyi Ijalaiye, reported that our office in Abeokuta South Local Government Area was attacked and set ablaze.
“The incident occurred around 1.15am when some unidentified persons overpowered the security personnel on duty and set the entire building ablaze. The main building and all the Commission’s movable assets in the office were destroyed.
“They include 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags, 8 electric power generators and 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
“Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, reported that our office in Ede South Local Government Area was attacked and set ablaze.
“The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when some unidentified persons attacked the building and set a portion of it ablaze. Fortunately, the damage to our Ede South Local Government was limited to a section of the building and only some furniture items were destroyed.”
The National Commissioner, however, assured that the attention of the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies have been drawn to the incidents and they have commenced an investigation.
“With just 106 days to the 2023 General Election when the Commission has commenced the movement of materials to our offices nationwide, these simultaneous attacks are very worrisome indeed.
“Accordingly, the Commission has convened an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) Friday 11th November, 2023 to discuss the disturbing trend,” Okoye stated.
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