By Fatima Muraina

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The disturbing trend of attacks on offices and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been described as an assault on democracy and jeopardizes credible elections.
This was contained in a release titled “Attacks on INEC offices are acts of Democratic and Economic Sabotage by Yiaga Africa signed by its Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu which was made available to journalists.
The release said it was an act of sabotage to a critical institution established by the Constitution to guarantee democratic leadership in Nigeria which also pose a potential threat to citizens’ right to vote in an election.
Yiaga Africa, who said the attack is antithetical to the drive for Electoral Reforms observed that at least 21 INEC offices across 10 states have been attacked, vandalized or set ablaze within the last 24 months including the most recent being the vandalisation and burning down of INEC offices in Udenu Local Government Area in Enugu State and in Ezza North Local Government Area in Ebonyi State.
“We empathize with the Commission as we can testify to the huge challenges that come with election management and deployment of materials to various polling units ahead of elections.
These attacks will most likely have negative impacts on election planning, deployment of personnel and materials as well as the overall cost of elections in Nigeria.”
While describing it as sad incidents which will create a financial burden on INEC and increase the cost on the Commission and Nigeria, it stressed that it is a source of distraction to INEC especially with the ongoing expansion of voters access to polling units and the planned commencement of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) across the country.
According to Yiaga, It is worrisome that there is no arrest in connection with the heinous crimes, saying if the incessant arson on election facilities are not checked, it will affect Nigeria’s plan for the 2023 general elections.
It declared that the citizens are interested in an in-depth investigation into these attacks and that perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others planning other attacks.
Failure to do this will enable continuity of this culture of impunity and would create a violent climate for the elections.
It urged the security agencies to devise crucial means of tracking and arresting the perpetrators and prosecute them along with their sponsors as the commission is advised to convene an emergency meeting with all security agencies and major stakeholders.
“Security agencies must step up efforts aimed at protecting government institutions against enemies of democracy who are bent on destroying democratic institutions.
Amidst the declining security situation in the country and diminishing confidence of the citizens, this is an opportunity for Nigerian security agencies to live up to their mandate of protecting lives and properties.”, It said.