THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State after a staff was shot dead by gunmen.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC.
READ ALSO:
45% of completed voters’ registrations nationwide are invalid — INEC
2023: INEC warns political parties against non-compliance with Electoral Act
2023: I have been trying to contest governorship election in Lagos for 10 years – Female aspirant
According to the statement, the staff, Nwokorie Anthony, was shot dead at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area.
Two other staff involved in the registration exercise at the polling unit are missing, according to the statement.
“Prior to this incident, the Commission had suspended the CVR in Orsu and Njaba Local Government areas of the state on account of insecurity while the exercise is taking place only at the INEC LGA office in Oru East, Oru West, Orlu and Ohaji – Egbema Local Government Areas of the state,” the statement said.
The statement further disclosed that efforts are being made to locate the missing staff.
“The Commission extends its condolences to the family of Nwokorie Anthony and prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss,” the statement added.
INEC expressed hopes that security agencies would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the culprits to justice.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance