The Independent National Electoral Commission has condemned in strong term the rising insecurity challenges bedeviling the country and called for the overhauling of the nation’s security architecture as it disclosed that the commission lost at least 9,836 smart card readers in over 42 attacks on its offices and staff within three years.
It added that more than 1,149 persons, including INEC employees and security officers were killed in the three elections held in 2011, 2015 and 2019. Ballot papers, cubicles and other materials were similarly destroyed.
According to a report published Friday April 15, 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.
Following the violent assaults on its assets and staff, the electoral body has expressed fears over the 2023 elections, stating that there would be no results at polling units where violent incidents were orchestrated.
