The box housing the smart card readers to be used for the October 10 governorship election in Ondo state has been gutted by fire on Thursday, September 10, destroying the smart card readers.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, however, men of the state fire service are currently battling to put out the fire.
This came barely one month to the governorship election in the state. It was gathered that the fire also destroyed some items in a section of the office.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed the incident in a short statement titled ‘Fire at INEC office in Akure’.
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 inferno, 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 in connection with preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for October 10, 2020, rushed to the office about 8 pm.
“The Administrative Secretary of the State, Mr. Popoola, and some staff of the commission are also there.
“Okoye said an investigation into the cause of the fire will commence promptly after the fire has been contained.”
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