198 smart card readers, voters register burnt in Akwa Ibom fire incident – INEC
One hundred and ninety- eight (198) smart card readers and register of voters expected to participate in tomorrow’s governorship and State Assembly elections in Akwa Ibom State were among other properties of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) destroyed by fire early hours of Friday.
Giving an account of the incident, INEC National Commissioner and chairman, Information and Voters Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye said the fire incident occurred INEC office in lbesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa lbom State.
He said “several sensitive and non-sensitive materials for tomorrow‘s Govemorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed including I98 Smart Card Readers. the Printed Register of Voters. 13 Generator saw well as several Voting Cubicles and offie equipment”
Fortunately, he said the ballot papers and result sheets for the elections were not affected and are intact.
“Acting timeously. the Commission has been able to replace and reconfigure all the destroyed Smart Card Readers and reprinted the Register of Voters.
“With the replacement and the salvage of other items. we are pleased to announce that the election will proceed as scheduled. All registered voters in the Local Government Area are therefore requested to turn up to cast their votes between 8am and 2pm tomorrow”, he said.
Okoye said though, the cause of the fire incident could not be reafily ascertained, a report has been made to the law enforcement agencies and the Fire Service.
He said INEC is liasing closely with both agencies to investigate and ascertain the cause of the fire and if found to be a delibrate act, it will ensure diligent and vigorous prosecution of those responsible.
