The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that a fire outbreak has destroyed its Ika North East Local Government Area office in Owa-Oyibu, Delta State.
INEC in a statement on its Facebook page signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee on Tuesday said the incident occurred on Monday afternoon.
The Commission said the fire outbreak was caused by a sudden power surge following the restoration of public electricity, according to a preliminary report presented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Etekamba Udo Umoren.
INEC added that the inferno completely razed the office’s stores section, where critical electoral materials were kept.
According to the Commission, items lost in the fire include 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals, and various other supplies such as envelopes, posters, forms, and booklets.
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INEC further stated that no injuries or fatalities were reported, noting that security agencies and emergency services have been notified and are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Commission expressed its gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their swift response.
The Ika North East office, one of 25 LGA offices in Delta State, serves 14 Registration Areas (Wards), 238 Polling Units, and 131,747 registered voters.
The Commission assured the public that it will work to assess the extent of the damage and determine necessary steps to restore operations in the affected office.
