Court Ruling Jeopardizes Rivers LG Elections By Stopping INEC From Publishing Voter Register

Court Ruling Jeopardizes Rivers LG Elections By Stopping INEC From Publishing Voter Register

A Federal High Court in Abuja has once again prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the upcoming local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024……CONTINUE READING 

The court also instructed the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) not to provide security for the election. Justice Peter Lifu issued this ruling while delivering judgment in a case brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC was represented in court by a team of senior lawyers, including Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon, and Ogwu James Onoja, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

Justice Lifu ruled that the RSIEC acted improperly by setting the October 5 date for the elections, citing non-compliance with relevant electoral laws. He pointed out that the RSIEC violated local government election conduct laws by failing to publish the mandatory 90-day notice prior to setting the election date.

Additionally, the judge emphasized that the update and revision of the voters’ register must be completed before a legal and valid election date can be established. Consequently, he ordered INEC not to provide the certified voters’ register to the RSIEC until all legal requirements have been met.

Furthermore, Justice Lifu prohibited the RSIEC from accepting any voters’ register from INEC or utilizing it for the October 5 local government elections.