558 Ballot Boxes Burnt as Fire Razes INEC Office in Sokoto

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported that its office in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State was destroyed by fire.

In a statement released on Friday, February 14, 2025, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that the blaze damaged ballot boxes and other materials.

Olumekun stated that during its regular weekly meeting on Thursday, the commission acknowledged the unfortunate incident, which was reported by the State office’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa.

According to him, the fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

“The entire building was damaged. Items destroyed include furniture and fixtures as well as movable electoral facilities, among them 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting enclosures (cubicles), 186 election bags and various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials such as 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats and 300 plastic buckets,” Olumekun said.

“Preliminary report from our state office indicates that there was a sudden surge from the public power supply before the incident.”

However, he noted that the exact cause of the fire was still under investigation by security and safety agencies. He also confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Olumekun added that the commission was working on securing an alternative temporary facility in the local government area to ensure its operations continue without major disruptions.