The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says some of the voter enrollment machines already configured for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) scheduled to commence on Monday, 27th May 2024 are among the items submerged by floods at the Edo State office of the commission in Benin.
Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman,
Information and Voter Education Committee of the INEC stated this in a statement on Saturday ,25th May 2024.
He said Benin office was completely flooded following a torrential rainfall of Friday 24th May 2024.
According to him, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, reported the flooding incident to the national INEC headquarters in Abuja.
He said : “Preliminary assessment shows that the heavy downpour damaged a section of the building.
“Movable and immovable items were submerged, including vehicles parked at the premises as well as office furniture and equipment.
“Some of the voter enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) are affected.”
Olumekun, however, said the Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring States to make up for the shortfall.
“We are determined to ensure that the CVR in all the 192 Wards across Edo State will proceed on Monday 27th May 2024 as scheduled.
“The Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring States to make up for the shortfall,” he said.
In view of the emergency situation, Olumekun said the Benin State Headquarters will no longer serve as a registration centre as earlier planned.
“Instead, the exercise will now take place in our Ikpoba Okha LGA office located at 16 Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City.
“Meanwhile, the attention of the security agencies and emergency services has been drawn to the incident,” he stated.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
