Anambra governorship election is more expensive than that of Edo and Ondo - INEC

The Independent and National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said they've spent more in ensuring the smooth running of the Anambra governorship election, than it did for Edo and Ondo states. 

 INEC’s commissioner for information and voter education, Festus Okoye in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday October 28 said the cost is high because of the “unusual circumstances”.

 Though he didn't disclose the amount they've spent so far, Okoye however stated that they had to replace 326 generating sets, rebuild the facility where electoral materials are stored which was burnt down, and also replaced non-sensitive materials.

 He said; 

 “We are conducting this election in a very unusual circumstance, this is because we had to rebuild our offices in Nnewi North and Idemili north, where our local government offices were burnt. 

 “We had to replace over 326 generating sets that we mopped up from our local government offices and stored in the headquarters thinking that it would be more secure. 

 “We also had to rebuild our stores, where we normally store non-sensitive materials. We had to also replace over 60percent of the non sensitive materials we already deployed to our Akwa office, getting ready for this election.

 “We had to repay six utility vehicles that were all burnt, we almost had to rebuild our state office that was also burnt. “So, in terms of cost, it’s been very very costly and we can’t compare it to Ondo and Edo states elections, because we are in unusual circumstances, we had to do things differently.

 “We are hopeful that when we get to Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, things will calm down much better and things will return to its normal trajectory.”