David Lawani, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed fears that the Commission might be handicapped despite preparation for the 2023 General Election having suffered untold attacks over its facilities by unknown gunmen and thugs on behalf of politicians across the country most especially in the southeast region of the country.

In a document released to the public by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi which chronicle this disturbing spate of attacks since 2019 till 2022 with Imo state on top of the list, he stressed that with this continuous damage to its facilities, the possibility of a free, fair and credible elections might not be sustained.

How incessant attacks on our facilities could compromise 2023 elections – INEC Chairman

It is on record that since 2019, the Commission has witnessed 50 attacks on its facilities and this has made preparations ahead 2023 somewhat shakky saying some of this have been due to numerous factors and the earlier they are addressed the safer for the Commission.

He said: ” These are attacks as a result of election-related violence, protests unrelated to elections and activities of thugs and unknown gunmen.

“The list does not include damages to facilities as a result of fire accidents, natural disasters such as flooding or rain/wind storms, the snatching/destruction of electoral materials during election, burglary and attack on election duty officials”, he stated.