The Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau State has expressed shock over the fire incident which gutted the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office building in Quan Pan Council Area of the state calling on security agents to investigate the matter.
The fire outbreak which occurred at the weekend was said to have destroyed unclaimed PVCs, ballot boxes, generators filled with fuel, cubicles, newly printed electronic and manual voters register among other materials.
In a statement in Jos on Monday, the PDP said the party “finds it strange that such fire could have ignited in a building housing very important materials just as preparations for the national election are intensifying by the minute.
The statement which was signed by the Chairman of the party’s Media and Publicity Committee, Mr Yiljap Abraham wondered “What then becomes of the fate of the owners of the PVCs when they show up at the INEC office on Monday, the last collection day? ”
He said “It is now left to the relevant experts to investigate and release their findings on the cause of the inferno.
“The Council demands that the findings be made public to address any concerns.
“The PDP State Campaign Council is also concerned about the over seven thousand unclaimed PVCs (as at last Friday) that were lost in the fire.
“INEC must work out equal voting opportunity for those whose cards might have been destroyed in the fire.
“The Council calls on INEC and the security services to put all necessary measures in place to improve the overall security of every INEC office across the state.
“The Council calls on its members and supporters to cooperate with INEC and Security personnel to ensure the safety and sanctity of materials, personnel and buildings”
The statement further appeals to the people of Qua’an Pan not to panic but to be resolute and alert as PDP Council works through the relevant committees and structures to ensure that they are not disenfranchised in any way.
The party also urged INEC to deploy “the greatest speed in restoring what was lost and securing what is to be replaced in time enough for the election ahead.
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