The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) at the ward level in Igboeze North local government area of Enugu, following an attack on its officials.

This is contained in a statement by INEC spokesman Festus Okoye on Thursday. He said INEC administrative secretary in Enugu, Jude Okwuonu, reported that at about 2: 30 p.m. on Wednesday, the commission’s officials involved in the CVR were attacked by gunmen in the Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North local government area.

“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials. In the ensuing stampede, one of our staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital,” said the INEC spokesman. “However, two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost. Consequently, the ward level registration of voters in Igboeze North is hereby suspended.”

He recalled that on July 3, INEC office in the local government area was razed by unknown arsonists.

Mr Okoye said despite the attack, INEC was able to continue with ward level registration with the assistance of vigilantes provided by the local government authority.

“It is one of the centres that has now been attacked,” he said.

Mr Okoye disclosed that the incident had been reported to the police for investigation.

(NAN)