Ballot boxes, voters’ register destroyed as fire engulfs INEC office in Plateau

Electoral materials have been destroyed in a fire outbreak at an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Qua’an Pan local government area of Plateau state.

Osaretin Imajiyereobo, INEC’s head of department voter education and publicity in the state, who confirmed the incident, did not disclose when it happened.

He listed permanent voters cards (PVCs), ballot boxes and voters’ register among the electoral materials burnt.

Imajiyereobo said Gbadamasi Rasheed, Plateau INEC administrative secretary, is leading a team to assess the incident.

“The INEC office in Qua’an Pan has been engulfed by fire causing a setback for the preparations for the general elections in the local government area,” he said.

“A drunk security man was said to have caused the fire outbreak. The office is completely burnt with all its content ie ballot boxes, generators serviced and filled with fuel, cubicles, newly printed electronic and manual voters register, uncollected PVCs, materials for the preparations of RAC and other materials yet to be identified.”

The incident occurred exactly a week to the presidential election.