An office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, was set ablaze Sunday, May 30, 2021, The Sight News gathered.
This was disclosed in a statement by the National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who said that although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment and furniture.
Okoye in the statement, said the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Professor Francis Ezeonu reported the incident, adding that it has been reported to the Police for investigation.
This attack, he stated, 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, he announced.
He further noted that INEC buildings, infrastructure and equipment are critical national assets that guarantee the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation, adding that attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process.