The headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin, the Edo State capital, has been submerged by flood following a torrential rainfall in the state.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Friday, May 24, 2024.

Confirming the incident, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the downpour damaged a section of the building.

Olumekun, in a statement on Saturday, disclosed that movable and immovable items were submerged, including vehicles parked at the premises as well as office furniture and equipment.

He said the incident was reported by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, adding that some voter enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) were affected.

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He noted: “However, the Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring 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.

“However, in view of the emergency situation, the State Headquarters will not serve as a registration centre as planned. Instead, the exercise will now take place in our Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area office located at 16 Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City.”

Olumekun added that the attention of security agencies and emergency services had been drawn to the incident.

The Star