Suspected gunmen have killed an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State, Mr Nwokorie Anthony.
Anthony was killed during the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise (CVR) exercise in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state.
The whereabouts of two other officials of the commission working with the murdered Anthony remain unknown.
The Imo Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, disclosed that Nwokorie was killed at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area, while two other staff involved in the registration exercise have since been missing.
Following the tragic incident, INEC suspended the CVR exercise in the local government area.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, made this known on Thursday.
Okoye said, “Prior to this incident, the commission had suspended the CVR in Orsu and Njaba Local Government areas of the state on account of insecurity while the exercise is taking place only at the INEC LGA office in Oru East, Oru West, Orlu and Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Areas of the state.
“The commission extends its condolences to the family of Nwokorie Anthony and prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. The incident has been reported to security agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to justice.”
The INEC commissioner, however, appealed to the President General of the various Town Unions in Imo State and all the critical stakeholders to protect the commission’s staff engaged in national assignment.
“The safety and security of staff is of paramount importance to the commission, particularly with the devolution of the voter registration exercise beyond our state and local government area offices nationwide in our determination to serve Nigerians better,” he said.
