Voter enrollment machines affected as flood ravages INEC HQ in Edo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its headquarters in Benin, Edo state, has been flooded.

Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Olumekun said Anugbum Onuoha, the commission’s resident electoral commissioner for Edo, reported that the headquarters was completely flooded following torrential rainfall on Friday.

“Preliminary assessment shows that the heavy downpour damaged a section of the building,” the statement reads.

“Movable and immovable items were submerged, including vehicles parked at the premises as well as office furniture and equipment.”

“Some of the voter enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) are affected.

“However, the Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring States to make up for the shortfall.

“We are determined to ensure that the CVR in all the 192 Wards across Edo State will proceed on Monday 27th May 2024 as scheduled.”

The national commissioner said the state headquarters would not serve as a registration centre as planned due to the incident.

“Instead, the exercise will now take place in our Ikpoba Okha LGA office located at 16 Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City,” he added.

“Meanwhile, the attention of the security agencies and emergency services has been drawn to the incident.”