Enugu: INEC suspends registration in Igbo Etiti local govt over gunmen attacks

Sequel to the recent gunmen attack on officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, INEC has decided to halt voter registration in the area.

The attack led to the loss of two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones.

INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, confirmed the attack via a statement issued on Thursday.

He said electoral officials were involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise before gunmen stormed the Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 in the South-Eastern state.

It was after the Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Mr Jude Okwuonu reported the incident to INEC Headquarters, that the commission decided to suspend the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the affected area.

“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials. In the ensuing stampede, one of our staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital,” the statement reads.

“Two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost. Consequently, Ward level registration of voters in Igboeze North is hereby suspended.”

According to Okoye, the commission has reported the incident to police authorities in Enugu State to commence an investigation.

Attacks on INEC facilities have been frequent in the South-East as the nation prepares for the general elections in seven months’ time.

On July 3, arsonists attacked the INEC office in Igboeze North Local Government Area and burnt down the facility.

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Enugu: INEC suspends registration in Igbo Etiti local govt over gunmen attacks