CONTINOUOS VOTER REGISTRATION: INEC Suspends Exercise In Imo State Over Death Of Personnel
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), exercise in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.
This followed a report by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, of an attack on INEC personnel. The REC reported thstaff, Nwokorie Anthony, involved in the ongoing CVR exercise, was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area. The REC further reported that the State Office is making concrete effort to locate the two remaining staff involved in the registration exercise.
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.
A statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye extended INEC’s sympathy to the family of Mr Nwokorie Anthony. INEC said the matter has been reported to security agencies to arrest and prosecute the culprits. It equally appealed to President General of the various Town Unions in Imo State as well as all the critical stakeholders to protect INEC personnel engaged in national assignment.
