An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ihitte Uboma local council was on Thursday killed by bandits who raided the office of the electoral commission.
Confirming the development, spokesperson of the electoral body, Festus Okoye, said the commission has suspended the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in the area.
Mr Okoye in a statement said two officials of INEC were still missing after the incident reported by Emeka Ezeonu, Imo resident electoral commissioner (REC).
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise (CVR) exercise in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State,” the statement reads.
“This is sequel to a report by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Emeka Ezeonu, to the effect that today, 14th of April 2022, Mr. Nwokorie Anthony, a staff of the Imo State office of the Commission 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 efforts to locate the whereabouts of 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.”
The commission condoled with the family of the deceased official, adding that security agencies have been informed of the development.
