INEC to hold emergency meeting over attack on offices

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will hold an emergency meeting with all Resident Electoral Commissioners across the states over an attack on its offices.

INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, made this known in a statement issued on Friday, adding that all RECs would be summoned in Abuja on May 19.

He also lamented the serial fire attacks on its offices in some states, especially in the South-East geopolitical zone, describing the situation as worrisome.

“Following the attack in Abia State, the commission resolved to convene an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security next week to discuss this disturbing trend. The latest destruction of the commission’s physical infrastructure and electoral facilities in Enugu State calls for an immediate review of the measures necessary to secure INEC’s assets across the states,” the statement partly read.

“Consequently, the Commission is convening an emergency meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners on Wednesday, 19th May 2021, in Abuja ahead of the meeting of ICCES.

“Meanwhile, the commission is determined to continue to discharge its responsibilities, including the conclusion of the expansion of voters’ access to Polling Units, resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration, capacity-building activities, the review of the draft Strategic Plan 2022-2026, engagement with stakeholders as well as all scheduled and pending elections.”

The development comes 24 hours after fire gutted the Enugu State office of the electoral umpire.

According to the police authorities, preliminary investigation suggests that the fire which was eventually put out before it could spread to other offices may have been caused by a power surge.

The spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said the level of damage could not be ascertained, adding that State Police Commissioner has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.