FIRE DESTROYS CARD READER AND OTHER SENSITIVE MATERIALS IN INEC AWKA HEADQUARTERS

Fire has consumed two containers where vital election materials are stored at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) in Awka, Anambra State.

The cause of the fire which started at about two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday is yet to be ascertained.

Speaking with journalists, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state Dr.  Nkwachukwu Orji, said the sensitive materials and equipment for the Saturday election, including smart card readers, were mostly affected in the incident.

Dr. Orji however, noted that the uncollected permanent voter’s cards were not affected as they were not stored in the containers.

Asked if it would affect Saturday election in the state, the REC said the commission would assess the situation to know the extent of damage and would make their findings known soon.

Reacting to the development, one of the candidates for the Saturday election, Mr. Emeka Igwe contesting for Awka South State Constituency 1, wondered why the commission could not provide adequate security to guard such sensitive equipment like the smart card readers.

He however called on INEC to immediately programme new smart card readers and send to Anambra state to enable people to cast their votes.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent, who was at the scene of the incident, reports that men of the state fire service later arrived in the scene to put off the fire.

UCHE NDEKE