September 30, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court, Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the October 5, 2024, local government election in the state.
Justice Peter Lifu also barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of the State Service (DSS) from providing security for the poll.
The orders follow a ruling in a suit brought before the court by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court held that the update and revision of voters’ register ought to have been concluded before an election date can be legally and validity fixed in law.
Consequently, Justice Lifu ordered INEC not to make the certified voters’ register available to RSIEC until the law has been fully complied with. The court also barred RSIEC from accepting any voters’ register from INEC or using it for the local government election scheduled for October 5.
THEWILL earlier reported that a Rivers State High Court had ordered security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to provide adequate security and ensure the maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the October 5 local government poll in the state.
The court also ordered the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct elections using the National Register of Voters for the 2023 general election compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The orders follow a final judgment in Suit NO. PHC/2696/CS/2024, between the Action Peoples Party (APP) as claimant, and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Government and Governor of Rivers State as defendants.
