Unknown gunmen on Sunday set ablaze the newly completed office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) located at Okwudor community in Njaba local government area of Imo.
The attack took place at about 11:30am.
According to INEC National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the office which was built and commissioned shortly before the 2019 General Elections, was burnt to a considerable degree.
In a communique on Sunday, Mr. Okoye stated that although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment and furniture.
This latest incident has been reported to the Police for investigation.
The attack is coming exactly a week after the INEC office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the State was vandalized. It is also the 8th INEC office to be attacked in Imo State since the 2019 General Election.
The total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide since 2019 has now risen to 42.
INEC buildings, infrastructure, and equipment are critical national assets that guarantee the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation.
Mr. Okoye warned that attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process.
