The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the attacks on some of its offices might impede the preparations for the 2023 election.
Speaking in an interview with Channels TV on Monday, the commission spokesperson, Festus Okoye admitted that the electoral body is disturbed as the recent events might disrupt early preparation for the general election.
Over the past few weeks, INEC offices across the country were invaded and burnt down several times by gunmen.
“In relation to some of these attacks and their implications, you know at the local government level, the electoral officers serve more or less as managing directors of our elections,” he said.
“We do not conduct elections at our INEC headquarters. It is at the base level that these elections are conducted. You also know that we just finished verification relating to the expansion of voters’ access to the polling units. It was at the various local government offices that these were coordinated. They coordinated the geo-referencing of the old and new polling units.”
Festus described the situation as an attack on the commission’s capacity and capability to conduct elections.
He also noted that INEC might also have to replace the destroyed offices with any available building temporarily.
“When you displace the commission, the implication is that the commission may have to go and look for a rented house, and when the commission goes to look for a rented office, you don’t know the political disposition and inclination of the landlords of that office. You may just come out on election day and find out that your offices are locked and there’s absolutely nothing you will do about it.
“We are worried that our preparations are being distracted and distorted. We are also worried because some of our officers are now living in fear in relation to what is going on.
“There is no doubt whatsoever that what is going on is unacceptable, and it’s going to divert the attention of the commission from early preparations for the 2023 elections and for the off-season elections that we’re organizing,” he said.
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