The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.

Barrister Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Okoye said the Commission took the decision following the killing of staff of the Commission in Imo, Mr Nwokorie Anthony, involved in the ongoing CVR exercise in the South-East state.

According to Barrister Okoye, the deceased was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area.

The statement revealed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Emeka Ezeonu, who reported the Thursday killing of Mr Anthony also expressed concern over the whereabouts of the two remaining staff involved in the registration exercise.

“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.

“We enjoin the President General of the various Town Unions in Imo State as well as all the critical stakeholders to protect the staff of the Commission 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 nation in our determination to serve Nigerians better,” the statement added. (Nigerian Tribune)

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