The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented that its office in Benin, the Edo state capital has been ravaged by flood.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun in a statement issued Saturday said preliminary assessment indicated that some of the voter enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) are affected.
The commission stressed that in view of the emergency situation, the State Headquarters would no longer serve as a registration centre as planned.
It added that instead, the exercise would now take place in INEC office located at Ikpoba Okha LGA office located at 16 Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City.
Olumekun noted: “Our Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, has reported that our State Headquaters in Benin City was completely flooded following a torrential rainfall yesterday Friday 24th May 2024.
“Preliminary assessment shows that the heavy downpour damaged a section of the building. Movable and immovable items were submerged, including vehicles parked at the premises as well as office furniture and equipment.
“Some of the voter enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) are affected.
“However, the Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring States to make up for the shortfall. We are determined to ensure that the CVR in all the 192 Wards across Edo State will proceed on Monday 27th November 2024 as scheduled.
“In view of the emergency situation, the State Headquarters will not serve as a registration centre as planned. Instead, the exercise will now take place in our Ikpoba Okha LGA office located at 16 Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City.”
The commission added that it has drawn the attention of the security agencies and emergency services has been drawn to the incident.