Fire Guts INEC Headquarters In Ondo

[Edoman]

Fire gutted the Ondo State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday, destroying Smart Card Readers.

This came barely one month to the governorship election in the state.

The cause of the inferno was unknown as of the time of filing this report.

The PUNCH gathered that the fire also destroyed some items in a section of the office.

When one of our correspondents visited the scene, security operatives cordoned off the premises.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed the incident in a short statement titled ‘Fire at INEC office in Akure’.

He noted that the commission would commence an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire.

He said, “Fire broke out today (Thursday) September 10, 2020, at the Ondo State Head Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Akure.

“The inferno, which gutted the container housing Smart Card Readers, started at 7.30 pm. Men of the Fire Service are however currently containing the fire.

“INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who is in Ondo State in connection with preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for October 10, 2020, rushed to the office about 8 pm.

“The Administrative Secretary of the State, Mr. Popoola, and some staff of the commission are also there.

“Okoye said an investigation into the cause of the fire will commence promptly after the fire has been contained.”

https://punchng.com/breaking-fire-guts-inec-headquarters-in-ondo/

[Edoman]

Update: Over 5,000 card readers destroyed in fire incident at INEC office in Ondo







The Independent National Electoral Commission has revealed that over 5000 card reader machines were destroyed in the fire that razed down its office in Akure, Ondo state's capital on the evening of Thursday September 10. 
 
Speaking to journalists at the scene of the incident, INEC Commissioner in charge of Information and Voters Education, Festus Okoye said the Information and Communication Technology section of the commission was affected by the fire. 
 
According to Okoye, 1000 card readers delivered to INEC from Osun State were burnt in the fire while over 4000 card readers belonging to INEC in the state were also burnt.
 
Admitting that the incident was a setback, the INEC commissioner stated that it will not affect the governorshp election. 

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