A newly commissioned office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been set ablaze at Okwudor community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.
Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
It was learnt that the burnt office was commissioned shortly before the 2019 general elections.
According to the commission, the arson attack took place around 11:30 am on Sunday.
The statement read: “Our resident electoral commissioner for Imo State Francis Ezeonu, has reported that our office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State was set ablaze today.
“Although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment, and furniture.
“The latest incident has been reported to police for investigation.”
Okoye stated that Sunday’s attack means that the affected office is the eighth INEC office to be vandalised in Imo State alone since the 2019 elections.
He added that the total number of INEC offices attacked since the conclusion of the general election two years ago has now risen to 42.
“INEC buildings, infrastructure and equipment are critical national assets that guarantee the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation. Attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process,” the statement read.
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