By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 706 of its ballot boxes and other election materials have been destroyed by fire at its Ika North-East Local Government office in Delta.

The Commission disclosed this, in a statement by Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Olumekun, the Commission has received a preliminary report from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta, Mr Etekamba Umoren, on the fire incident.

He said that the report indicated that the incident occurred on Monday afternoon as a result of a sudden power surge following the restoration of public power supply.

Olumekun said that the stores section of the office where petrol generators and other items were kept was completely razed.

?Items destroyed in the inferno include 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals and assorted items such as envelopes, posters, forms and booklets.

?Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities,?? he said.

Olumekun said that the incident had been reported to the security agencies and emergency services for a thorough investigation.

He commended the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their response.

?Ika North-East is one of our 25 LG offices in Delta State with 14 Registration Areas (Wards), 238 Polling Units and 131,747 registered voters,? he said. (NAN)