INEC Opens Up on Status of Anambra Governorship Election as Violence Continues in Southeast
- INEC has given an assurance the violence in the southeast will not stop it from conducting the Anambra governorship election
- The electoral body said it is taking important steps to ensure the election which is slated for Saturday, November 6 holds
- Recently, INEC offices and other public facilities in the southeast region have been consistently attacked by hoodlums
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Awka, Anambra - Despite the unrest in the southeast, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to conduct the Anambra governorship election which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 6.
The southeast geopolitical zone has been recently embroiled in violence as "unknown gunmen" continue attacking police facilities, burning INEC buildings, and destroying electoral materials.
Source: Getty Images
However, the electoral body gave an assurance that the insecurity will not stop it from conducting the election, noting that relevant stakeholders are currently being engaged to find a lasting solution to the violence, Channels TV reported.
Legit.ng gathers that this was disclosed by the national commissioner of the commission, Adekunle Ogunmola, after a strategic meeting in Lagos, on Monday, May 31.
He said:
“For INEC, it won’t be a difficult thing to plan for the Anambra election. We have had similar incidents in the past, for example in Ondo state where some card readers were burnt, we were able to make amends and we conducted that election without any hitch.
“As for Anambra, I can assure you that we will conduct that election without any problem.”
Nigerians react
The statement by INEC has drawn some reactions from Nigerians on social media.
John Paul said:
"Yes agreed... The chairman should be on ground to support and boost the moral of the field teams..."
Dike Chinweotito said:
"If I'm to be INEC Nigeria, I will lobby to make sure that the electoral bill is amended and pass into law, to give room for electronic voting..."
Caro White said:
"INEC conducting election is not the problem. But will it be free and fair."
Prince Stan Nelub said:
"INEC please don't send any NYSC members their oo to avoid story that touches the heart."
Igwe Oscar Uche said:
"What's the point of conducting an election when the basic necessities needed for good living will not be guaranteed, making us live like animals.
"Let's try not voting to see if our lives will change."
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41 attacks on INEC offices in two years
Meanwhile, INEC said within the last two years, its offices and facilities have been attacked 41 times.
The chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, revealed this on Thursday, May 27 in Abuja at an emergency meeting with security agencies.
Professor Yakubu stated that nine of the incidents happened in 2019 while 21 cases were recorded in 2020.
Source: Legit.ng
