A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that affects the upcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
The court has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the elections scheduled on October 5, 2024.
This decision comes amidst concerns over compliance with electoral laws.
In addition to the ruling against INEC, the court also barred the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the elections.
This adds another layer of uncertainty to the election process, which is crucial for local governance in the state.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered this ruling while considering a case brought forward by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC, one of the major political parties in Nigeria, was represented by a team of lawyers, including Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon, and Ogwu James Onoja, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).
Their arguments focused on the legal violations committed by RSIEC in relation to the election timeline.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu highlighted that RSIEC acted prematurely by fixing the election date without adhering to the required legal procedures.
Specifically, he pointed out that RSIEC violated provisions of the local government election conduct law, which mandates a minimum of 90 days’ notice before an election date can be set.
This is designed to ensure that all stakeholders, including voters, are adequately informed and prepared for the electoral process.
The judge further stressed that the update and revision of the voters’ register must be completed before any election date can be legally established.
This is a critical step to ensure that the electoral process is transparent and that all eligible voters are included in the electoral roll.
The absence of a properly updated register could lead to disenfranchisement of voters, which is a serious concern in any democratic process.
As a result of the ruling, Justice Lifu ordered INEC not to make the certified voters’ register available to RSIEC until all legal requirements are fully complied with.
He also prohibited RSIEC from accepting or utilizing any voters’ register from INEC for the purpose of the October 5 local government elections.
This court decision has significant implications for the electoral landscape in Rivers State. It raises questions about the preparedness of RSIEC and the integrity of the electoral process.
Observers will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether RSIEC will be able to address the legal issues highlighted by the court in time for the elections.
