ABUJA, Nigeria (ChatnewsTV) — A Federal High Court in Abuja has once again blocked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his ruling Monday, also barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the election. The decision was made following a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by a legal team including senior advocates Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon, and Ogwu James Onoja.
“The Rivers State electoral body failed to comply with essential legal requirements, including the publication of a mandatory 90-day notice before setting the election date,” Justice Lifu noted.
Justice Lifu added that the voters’ register update must be completed before any election date can be legally fixed, stating, “INEC should not release the certified voters’ register to RSIEC until full compliance with the law is ensured.”
The judge also ordered RSIEC to refrain from accepting or using any voters’ register for the October 5 polls until the legal procedures are met.
By Gabriel Ani
