HOODLUMS ATTACK THE INEC OFFICE IN IMO ONCE MORE.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has condemned the attack on its Imo State office.

Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, issued the statement on Wednesday.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, damaged eight windows and removed burglary safeguards.

This is the fourth attack on INEC facilities in Imo State in less than three weeks, following attacks on the Orlu and Oru West Local Government Areas, as well as the state headquarters in Owerri.

The Commission did remark, however, that vote boxes and voting booths had been relocated to another INEC facility for safekeeping.

It was also announced that the uncollected Permanent Voters Cards had been acquired.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Agu, has reported that our office in Isu Local Government Area has been attacked and vandalized,” the statement said. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

“Eight windows were damaged and burglary proofs were removed. Fortunately, the attackers were unable to gain access to the structure. Equipment, both mobile and stationary, as well as other materials, were not removed or vandalized.

“However, as a precautionary measure, key materials including as ballot boxes and voting booths have been relocated to another INEC facility for safekeeping.

“In a similar vein, all uncollected PVCs have been secured, and security will be put in place to ensure that registered voters continue to collect the cards in the same location.

“The Police and other security authorities have been notified of the event for further action.

In less than three weeks, there have been four attacks on INEC facilities in Imo State, with the State Headquarters in Owerri and the Orlu and Oru West Local Government Areas previously targeted.