By TINA TIMOTHY

Gunmen have attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee Festus Okoye Esq, in a press statement on Thursday, July 14, said the unknown gunmen whose sporadic shots fired into the air dispersed registrants as well as the registration officials as everyone scampered for safety. The stampede, according to the press statement also led to an official of the commission being injured and loss of two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff.

The statement reads: “The Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okwuonu, reported that at about 2.30pm on Wednesday 13th July 2023, our officials involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise were attacked by unknown gunmen in Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area.

“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials. In the ensuing stampede, one of our staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital.

“However, two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost.”

Okoye, commenting on INEC’s effort to continue with ward registration irrespective of the recent attack and burning of the office in Igboeze North, announced the immediate suspension of ward level registration in the area but said the incident has been reported to the police.

“Consequently, Ward level registration of voters in Igboeze North is hereby suspended.

“It will be recalled that on 3rd July 2022, our office in Ogboeze North Local Government Area was burnt down by unknown arsonists. In spite of the attack, the Commission was able to continue with Ward level registration with the assistance of vigilantes provided by the Local Government authority. It is one of the centres that has now been attacked.

“The incident has been reported to the Police for investigation,” he said.