By: Mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission, Friday announced the incident of a fire outbreak in its Gwadabawa office in Sokoto State.
No fewer than 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting enclosures (cubicles), 186 election bags and various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials such as 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats and 300 plastic buckets were listed amongst items destroyed.
The fire incident may not be unconnected to a sudden surge from the public power supply.
Though no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
A statement signed Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, said the incident was reported at its Thursday regular weekly meeting by the Administrative Secretary in charge of the State office, Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa.
The fire, according to the statement “started in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 11th February 2025. “The entire building was damaged. Items destroyed include furniture and fixtures as well as movable electoral facilities, among them 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting enclosures (cubicles), 186 election bags and various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials such as 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats and 300 plastic buckets.”
“Preliminary report from our State office indicates that there was a sudden surge from the public power supply before the incident.
“However, the actual cause of the fire outbreak is being investigated by the security and safety agencies which have deployed their personnel to the facility.
“No injuries or fatalities were recorded.
“The Commission is making an effort to find an alternative temporary facility in the Local Government Area so that our activities are not completely disrupted.”
