Hoodlums raze INEC office again in Imo

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) office in Njaba Council Area of Imo State, has been burnt by hoodlums.

The Commission had reported 41 of its offices in 14 States have been destroyed in coordinated attacks across the country.

INEC convened an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja lastThursday to find solutions to the spreading attacks.

National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement, said the “total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide since 2019 has now risen to 42”.

According to the statement: “Our Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Francis Ezeonu, has reported that our office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State was set ablaze today Sunday 30th May 2021.

“Although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment and furniture.

“This latest incident has been reported to the Police for investigation.

“This attack is coming exactly a week after our office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the State was vandalized on Sunday 23rd May 2021. It is also the 8th INEC office to be attacked in Imo State since the 2019 General Election.

“The total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide since 2019 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”.