The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has lost no fewer than 9,836 smart card readers in over 42 attacks on its offices and staff in three years.
In addition, over 1,149 persons, including INEC employees and security officers have been killed in the three elections held in 2011, 2015 and 2019. Ballot papers, cubicles and other materials were similarly destroyed.
Recall that last Friday, an INEC worker identified as Anthony Nwokorie, was shot dead by gunmen while conducting the continuous voter registration in the Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.
A viral video showed the hoodlums forcing registrants to lie on the ground while destroying registration materials and vowing that elections would not hold in the South-East.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, in an interview with newsmen on Monday, warned that no return would be made where violence was deliberately precipitated to undermine the electoral process.
Responding to a question about what was being done to better protect INEC employees, assets, and voters, he said a risk assessment would be conducted to evaluate hazards and risks before the general election, including “mapping of persons of interests and so on,” by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee.
Igini stated, “There are things that will be done but much of it cannot be a matter for publication. However, it is important, if we must reassure the voting public for the commission to work with stakeholders to ensure that a speedy example is made with some people to convey the message to the public that there is zero tolerance for such hazards and that voters will not only be protected, but also seen to be protected.”
