A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday once again stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.
In addition, the court prohibited the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from offering security for the poll.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling following a lawsuit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC’s legal team, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon, and Ogwu James Onoja, argued the case.
Justice Lifu ruled that the RSIEC acted prematurely in setting the October 5 election date, stating that it did so without adhering to the necessary legal requirements.
Specifically, the court found that the Rivers State electoral body had failed to comply with provisions of the local government election law, particularly the requirement to publish a 90-day notice prior to the election.
Additionally, Justice Lifu emphasized that the updating and revision of the voters’ register must be completed before a legally valid election date could be set.
As a result, the court ordered INEC not to provide the certified voters’ register to RSIEC until all legal stipulations were met.
RSIEC was similarly instructed not to accept or use any voters’ register from INEC for the October 5 local government elections.