Several card readers were damaged as fire gutted the head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akure, on Thursday.
It was gathered that the fire also destroyed other essential materials.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi confirmed the incident in a short statement titled: ‘Fire at INEC office in Akure.’ He noted that the Commission would commence an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire.
The news of the inferno attracted men of the Ondo State Police Command, other security agents and some INEC officials.
The area was immediately cordoned off as security men prevented human and vehicle movements around the premises.
The INEC Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, told journalists at the scene of the incident, that the fire affected the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) section of the commission. He added that over 5,100 card readers were burnt in the inferno.
He said the burnt card readers comprised 1,000 units delivered to INEC from Osun State and the over 4,000 belonging to the INEC in Ondo State.
He said though the incident was a setback but “it will not affect the governorship election.”
However, no life was lost in the incident.
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