The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a change in venue for the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration in Edo State following severe flooding at its state headquarters in Benin City.
The flooding caused by torrential rain on Friday, May 24, 2024, has resulted in significant damage to the building and its contents.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed the details in a press release on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, reported that both movable and immovable items, including parked vehicles, office furniture, and equipment, were submerged.
Among the affected items were several voter enrollment machines configured for the CVR.
“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, May 24, 2024.
“Preliminary assessment shows that the heavy 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 enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration was affected,” the statement read in part.
The Edo State governorship election would be held on September 21, 2024.
INEC had unveiled plans to commence the CVR from May 27 to June 5, 2024, ahead of the governorship poll.
However, to address the shortfall, Olumekun noted that INEC would dispatch additional machines from neighboring states.
“The Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighboring 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,” he said.
Due to the flooding, the State Headquarters will no longer serve as a registration centre, Olumekun added.
