Election: Card Readers Destroyed As Fire Razes INEC Office In Ondo

The Ondo State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is currently on fire.

The fire outbreak which started around 8:45pm at the ICT unit of the commission is yet to be contained as at press time.

Over 5000 card readers have been destroyed in the inferno.

Men of the state police command and other security agents were present at the scene and prevented human and vehicle movement around the premises.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed the incident in a statement.

He said,

“Fire broke out today (Thursday) September 10, 2020, at the Ondo State Head Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Akure.

“The fire, which gutted the container housing Smart Card Readers, started at 7.30 pm. Men of the fire service are however currently containing the fire”.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who is in Ondo State said an investigation into the cause of the fire will commence promptly after the fire has been contained.

Governorship election in the state had been scheduled for October 10, 2020.