Fire Ravages INEC’s Ika North East Office, Election Materials Destroyed

Fire Ravages INEC’s Ika North East Office, Election Materials Destroyed

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

A devastating fire at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Ika North East Local Government Area (LGA) office on Monday,  has resulted in the destruction of critical election materials.

The inferno, according to a report from  the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Mr. Etekamba Udo Umoren, was triggered by a sudden power surge following the restoration of public electricity supply.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement issued after the Commission’s regular meeting held on Tuesday, disclosed that the commission’s storage facilities were destroyed.

Olumekun added that among the sizable losses reported, 706 ballot boxes were destroyed, alongside 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, and essential operational equipment such as three electric power generators.

“The fire also consumed 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals, and various other materials including envelopes, posters, forms, and booklets,” Olumekun stated.

He added; “The stores section where the petrol generators and other items were kept was completely razed,” Olumekun detailed in the statement. Although the materials were significant to the electoral process, he confirmed that “there were no injuries or fatalities,”

The Commission has taken immediate action by reporting the fire to security agencies and emergency services for a comprehensive investigation into the cause and circumstances surrounding the blaze.

“The incident has been reported to the security agencies and emergency services for a thorough investigation.

“The Commission appreciates the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their response.

“Ika North East is one of our 25 LGA offices in Delta State with 14 Registration Areas (Wards), 238 Polling Units and 131,747 registered voters,” he concluded.