Anambra 2021: We’ve Made Progress In Fixing Our Destroyed Facilities, Says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has made progress in fixing its facilities that were destroyed in Anambra.

Festus Okoye, national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, said this on Tuesday in a statement to update the public on preparations for the Anambra governorship election.

In recent months, some INEC offices in the south-east, including Anambra, have witnessed a spate of attacks, leading to the destruction of some sensitive and non-sensitive materials.

On May 23, gunmen attacked the INEC office in Akwa, Anambra state.

The commission had said the attack led to the destruction of its store and that following the incident, it decided to store its election materials in Owerri, Imo state.

Okoye, in the statement, said the INEC met on Tuesday and reviewed its preparations for the conduct of the Anambra election.

He said the burnt stores have been rebuilt and are ready to receive materials.

“The commission noted that appreciable progress has been made in fixing the facilities of the commission destroyed during the 23rd of May 2021 attack on our offices. The burnt stores have been rebuilt and ready to receive materials, while the repairs of the collation centre and other affected facilities are almost completed,” the statement reads.

The commission also said the display of the preliminary voter register has been done and is being cleaned-up.

The statement said in line with the timetable and schedule of activities, the commission will publish the official register of voters and the final list of nominated candidates for the election on October 7, 2021.

“The permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) of the new registrants will be ready for collection on or shortly after 7th October. Registrants will be notified accordingly through their respective email addresses and telephone numbers when their PVCs are ready for collection,” Okoye added.

“The last day for submission of names of polling agents for the election to the electoral officer of the local government areas by political parties is 21st October, while political campaigns will end on 4th November.

“The commission is determined to conduct a good election in Anambra state. We enjoin all critical stakeholders to continue to display decorum and conduct their activities in the best traditions of liberal democracy.”