Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has warned that persistent attacks on its assets could hamper the 2023 elections from holding.
Attacks on offices of INEC and burning of election materials have been on the rise in the last two months especially in the Southsouth and Southeast states.
On Tuesday, two offices in the local government areas in Ebonyi State were attacked. Electoral materials were razed
Between February 2019 and May 2021, INEC offices in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers and Abuja were burnt.
Yakubu, who condemned the attacks while speaking at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, opined that they were orchestrated.
“These are acts of unjustifiable aggression which may undermine the commission’s capacity to organise elections and dent the nation’s electoral process,” Yakubu added.
At least 23 INEC offices have been attacked this year.
He expressed fears that the attack could jeopardise the continuous voter registration slated to begin next month.
Yakubu said replacing the facilities in the prevailing economic circumstances would be a tall order and derail electoral services in the affected areas.
