By Akombo Aondona, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, 15th April 2022, announced the suspension of ongoing continuous voters registration (CVR) exercise in Imo state following the murder of its members of staff by gunmen in Ihitte Uboma Local Government and threat to the lives of others involved in the process in Ehime Mbano Local Government.
A statement issued at the commission headquarters Abuja by the National Commissioner, Information and Voters Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the commission placed the safety of its staff high and would therefore ensure that no staff was put to harm.
Okoye wrote: “Further to the unfortunate incident in Imo State, in which one of our staff was killed by gunmen in Ihitte Uboma Local Government area yesterday, the commission has decided to suspend the ongoing continuous voters registration (CVR) exercise in all the 54 Additional Centers created to facilitate the registration of voters across the state.
“This decision follow further reports from the Residents Electoral Commissioner in Imo State, Prof. Francis C, Ezeonu, of threat to our staff involved in the exercise in Ehime Mbano Local Government area.
“The safety of our staff remains a primary concern to the Commission. We will continue to ensure that no staff is put in harm’s way while working with the security agencies and community leaders to protect them and facilitate their work”.
Meanwhile, the commission said it has now established contact with two of its missing staff after yesterday’s attack in Ihitte Uboma. “They are safe and will soon be reunited with their families”. Okoye said in the statement, which is produced below:
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