Edo INEC office flooded after heavy rain

The Independent National Electoral Commission office in Benin, Edo State, was severely flooded following a downpour on Friday.

This was confirmed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun in a statement on Saturday.

According to Olumekun, the flood caused significant damage to the building, submerging items, including vehicles, office furniture, and equipment, as well as CVR office.

The Commission, however, added that it was taking proactive measures to ensure that the Continuous Voter Registration planned to start on May 27 proceeded as scheduled, with additional machines being deployed from neighbouring states to make up for the shortfall.

The statement partly reads: “Our Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, has reported that our state headquaters in Benin City was completely flooded following a torrential rainfall yesterday Friday 24th May 2024.

“Preliminary assessment shows that the downpour damaged a section of the building. Movable and immovable items were submerged, including vehicles parked at the premises as well as office furniture and equipment.

“Some of the voter enrolment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration CVR are affected. However, the Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring States to make up for the shortfall. We are determined to ensure that the CVR in all the 192 Wards across Edo State will proceed on Monday 27th November 2024 as scheduled.”