The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed fear that those attacking and burning public facilities in the South-East do not want the November 6 Anambra governorship election to take place.

“From the reports we have received, the stated goal of many of the attackers is that the Governorship election scheduled for 6th November 2021 must not hold,” Mr Yakubu said at a meeting with heads of security agencies on Tuesday in Abuja.

“This is worrisome for the Commission. We are deeply concerned that specific electoral facilities and materials could once more become targets of attack,” he added.

Mr Yakubu’s expressed fear is coming as unknown gunmen continue to attack INEC facilities and materials. 

“Recall that in May this year, our State Office at Awka was attacked and all the non-sensitive materials assembled for the election at the time were destroyed. 

“In addition, our store, collation center and the main office building were either totally or substantially damaged. The Commission also lost several vehicles to be used for the election,” the INEC chairman said.

In May, Mr Yakubu said since the 2019 general elections, 14 INEC offices have been attacked 41 times, leading to the destruction of 1,105 ballot boxes, 429 generator sets and 13 vehicles.