The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed
that 4,695 Smart Card Reader were destroyed in an inferno that occurred
in its office in Awka, Anambra on Tuesday.
that 4,695 Smart Card Reader were destroyed in an inferno that occurred
in its office in Awka, Anambra on Tuesday.
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| Smart Card Reader |
Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, Chairman of Information and
Voter Education Committee, made the confirmation in a statement issued
in Awka.
Voter Education Committee, made the confirmation in a statement issued
in Awka.
He said that there was no fatality or injury report but recalled that
similar incidents had occurred in the last 12 days following closely
behind those of Isiala Ngwa and Qua’an pan Local Governments offices in
Abia and Plateau States respectively.
similar incidents had occurred in the last 12 days following closely
behind those of Isiala Ngwa and Qua’an pan Local Governments offices in
Abia and Plateau States respectively.
Okoye said that though the incident no doubt was a setback to
the commission’s preparation for the smooth conduct of the elections in
Anambra, immediate measures had been taken to ameliorate the situation.
the commission’s preparation for the smooth conduct of the elections in
Anambra, immediate measures had been taken to ameliorate the situation.
He said that the measures was the mopping up of some of the spare
card readers from other states to deploy to Anambra for smooth conduct
of the general elections come Feb. 16 and March 2.
card readers from other states to deploy to Anambra for smooth conduct
of the general elections come Feb. 16 and March 2.
The national commissioner said that with the steps taken so far, the
commission remained confident that the election in the state would
proceed as scheduled.
commission remained confident that the election in the state would
proceed as scheduled.
Okoye said that the incident had been reported to the police and the
Fire Service adding that investigation into the cause had commenced.
Fire Service adding that investigation into the cause had commenced.
He commended the Fire Service for its response which had prevented
the spread of the fire and more damage to the commission’s property was
averted
the spread of the fire and more damage to the commission’s property was
averted
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two containers with
configured card readers and other sensitive materials for the general
elections were gutted by fire at the INEC office in the state.
configured card readers and other sensitive materials for the general
elections were gutted by fire at the INEC office in the state.
The fire, which source remained unknown, started around 2.14 pm
razing the entire containers before the arrival of Anambra State Fire
Service.
razing the entire containers before the arrival of Anambra State Fire
Service.
An eye witness, who spoke in anonymity, said the fire started at a
portion and was put off only to double and escalate to other places.
portion and was put off only to double and escalate to other places.
NAN reports that many of the ad-hoc staff of the commission were at
the INEC complex to collect their posting letters when the incident occurred.
the INEC complex to collect their posting letters when the incident occurred.
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