The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a change in the venue for the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo State after severe flooding at its state headquarters in Benin City.

The flooding, caused by heavy rainfall on Friday, May 24, 2024, resulted in significant damage to the building and its contents.

Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the details in a press release on Saturday.

According to the statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, reported that both movable and immovable items, including parked vehicles, office furniture, and equipment, were submerged. Several voter enrollment machines configured for the CVR were also affected.

“Our Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, has reported that our State Headquarters in Benin City was completely flooded following torrential rainfall on Friday, May 24, 2024. Preliminary assessment shows that the heavy downpour damaged a section of the building. Movable and immovable items were submerged, including vehicles parked at the premises, as well as office furniture and equipment. Some of the voter enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration were affected,” the statement read.

The Edo State governorship election is scheduled for September 21, 2024. INEC had planned to commence the CVR from May 27 to June 5, 2024, in preparation for the governorship poll.

To address the equipment shortfall, Olumekun noted that INEC would dispatch additional machines from neighboring states. “The Commission is delivering additional machines from neighboring states to make up for the shortfall. We are determined to ensure that the CVR in all the 192 Wards across Edo State will proceed on Monday, May 27, 2024, as scheduled,” he said.

Due to the flooding, the State Headquarters will no longer serve as a registration center, Olumekun added.