4,695 Smart Card Readers were destroyed in a mysterious fire incident which occurred at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Awka, Anambra state on Tuesday afternoon.
Okay Nigeria had reported the fire incident with photos of a container where the materials got burnt.
However, the commission revealed more in a statement made available to newsmen by Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, late Tuesday, in Abuja.
Okoye said that election in the state would hold as scheduled as it would mop up some of the spare Card Readers from other states to Anambra.
He said in the statement, “This is the third of such incidents in the last 12 days, following closely behind those of lsiala Ngwa and Qua’an Pan Local Government offices in Abia and Plateau States respectively.
“While the Commission awaits the details of the latest incident, it notes with some relief that there was no fatality or injury reported.
“Initial assessment, however, confirms that a total of 4,695 of the Smart Card Readers were destroyed in the inferno.
“While this is no doubt a setback to our preparations for the smooth conduct of the elections in Anambra State, the Commission has taken immediate measures to ameliorate the situation, by mopping up some of the spare Card Readers from other States to deploy to Anambra State.
“With the steps so far taken, the Commission remains confident that the election in the state will proceed as scheduled.”
Also in the statement, Okoye said INEC had reported the incident to the Nigeria Police and the Fire Service and investigations which investigation has commenced.
He also commended the Fire Service’s responses to the incident as it prevented the spread of the fire and reduced damages.
