Over 700 Ballot Boxes, Other Items Destroyed as Fire Razes INEC Office in Delta State

Gabriel Ameh, The Legit News.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a fire incident at its Ika North East Local Government Area (LGA) office in Owa-Oyibu town, Delta State, which occurred on Monday, December 2, 2024.

The fire, attributed to a sudden power surge following the restoration of public electricity, caused significant damage to several electoral materials stored at the office, a statement by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun noted.

Olumekun confirmed that the fire primarily affected the stores section of the office where key electoral items were stored, noting that among the destroyed items were 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals, as well as assorted materials such as envelopes, posters, forms, and booklets.

Despite the scale of the destruction, the Commission assured that no lives were lost and there were no reported injuries.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Mr. Etekamba Udo Umoren, the fire broke out in the afternoon but did not lead to any fatalities.

The incident has already been reported to security agencies and emergency services for a detailed investigation. INEC also extended its appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their prompt response to the emergency.

Ika North East LGA, one of the 25 LGA offices in Delta State, holds a critical role in the state’s electoral activities. The area comprises 14 Registration Areas (Wards), 238 Polling Units, and 131,747 registered voters.

Olumekun further noted that this fire incident raises concerns about the preparedness and security of electoral materials in the region, noting however that the Commission remains committed to taking necessary steps to ensure minimal disruption to future elections.

The Commission vowed to continue working with the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the fire and prevent similar occurrences in the future.