The Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters’ registers to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
News About Nigeria reports that the voter register is meant for the October 5 local government election in the state.
It was also gathered that the court restricted the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of the State Service (DSS) from deploying security for the LG poll.
Justice Peter Lifu made the ruling while delivering his verdict in a case filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC’s legal team, led by senior advocates Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon, and Ogwu James Onoja, presented their arguments.
Justice Lifu deemed RSIEC’s October 5 poll date invalid, citing non-compliance with governing laws.
The judge noted that RSIEC breached electoral regulations by failing to provide the requisite 90-day notice.
Additionally, Justice Lifu emphasized that voter registration updates should be completed before setting an election date.
He ordered INEC to withhold the certified voters’ register from RSIEC until legal requirements are met.
Justice Lifu also prohibited RSIEC from accepting or utilizing INEC’s voters’ register for the October 5 local government elections.
Recall that a high court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ordered RSIEC to conduct the forthcoming local government elections in the state, using the 2023 voters’ register.
The court also mandated the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Force to provide necessary protection during the election process.
The orders were given by Justice I. Igwe of High Court number 14 in a case instituted by the Action People’s Party (APP) against the state electoral umpire, the Rivers State government, and the governor of Rivers State.
