The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it is yet to determine the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), destroyed at its office in Iboko, the headquarters of Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
A statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye explained that all the movable and immovable materials inside the office were destroyed by the fire.
They include three hundred and forty ballot boxes, one hundred and thirty voting cubicles and fourteen electric generators as well as some water tanks.
According to the statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ebonyi State, Mrs Ugochi Onyeka reported that unidentified persons set ablaze the building by 10am emphasizing that the incident was the third attack on INEC Office this month after a similar incident occured in Ogun and Osun states.
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One of the residents of the Area, Mr Nkwuda Chijioke called on Nigeria Government and INEC to come to their aid as such inferno could hamper the success of the forthcoming Election.
An Eyewitness who pleaded anonymity to Voice of Nigeria said that the incident occurred in the morning hours adding that the office was completely razed.
Another indigene, Mr Ubo Echena, said the Inferno is the handwork of the evil ones in the society.
He called for emergency help on all those places where INEC offices have been burnt.
Efforts to ascertain whether the inferno affected the Permanent Voter Cards due for distribution in the area and other vital documents were not successful.
Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mr Chris Anyanwu confirmed the fire incident but said he did not have details as at the time of filing this report.
All efforts to get to the Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Steven Nwankpa proved abortive.
