Flood overruns INEC headquarters in Edo, damages CVR machines

Mr Sam Olumekun, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the commission’s head office in Benin City, Edo State has been submerged by flood.

Olumekun in a statement on Saturday in Abuja said that Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, reported that the commission’s state headquarters in Benin City was completely flooded following a torrential rainfall on Friday.

According to Olumekun, preliminary assessment shows that the heavy downpour damaged a section of the building, while movable and immovable items were submerged.

“The flood damaged a section of the building. It destroyed voters registration machines and other items,” Olumekun disclosed.

“Property submerged included vehicles parked at the premises as well as office furniture and equipment,” he added.

He added that some of the voter enrolment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the state were affected.

“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 Local Government Area office located at 16, Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City,” Olumekun said.