Unidentified gunmen attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were registering voters at a community primary school in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Enugu state.
Driving the news
According to the report by INEC’s national spokesperson, Festus Okoye, gunmen stormed the registration unit on Wednesday, shooting sporadically into the air. While there were no casualties, some officials of the commission sustained injuries while trying to flee the scene.
- The gunmen made away with two registration machines and some personal belongings of the staff members.
What the spokesman said
The spokesperson said the continued violence in that local government has forced INEC to suspend the registration of voters from the local government.
Why this matters
Increased threats to INEC facilities will greatly threaten the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections, as these attacks might compromise election materials.
What you should know
- The attack on the INEC branch in the Igboeze North LGA of Enugu State is the second attack on the commission in July alone.
- Earlier in the month, unidentified arsonists burnt down the INEC office in Igboeze North LGA. Although the commission didn’t record any casualties, the perpetrators destroyed 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment.
- INEC recorded similar attacks in May in Igboeze South, a local government area close to where the latest attack on the commission occurred.