Court Bars INEC and Security Agencies from Participating in Rivers State Local Government Elections
A Federal High Court ruling has prohibited 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. The court also barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security services for the elections.
The decision, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, came in response to a case filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the legality of the scheduled election. Justice Lifu found that the RSIEC had failed to comply with key election laws, including the requirement for a 90-day notice before setting an election date. This failure rendered the October 5 election date invalid, according to the ruling.
Justice Lifu emphasized that before a lawful election could be conducted, the voters’ register must be updated and revised in accordance with the law. As a result, INEC was instructed to refrain from providing the certified voters’ register to RSIEC until all legal conditions are satisfied.
This ruling has cast uncertainty over the scheduled local government elections in Rivers State, as the court also blocked RSIEC from accepting or using any voters’ register from INEC for the October 5 elections. The decision marks a significant development in the state’s electoral process, with the court highlighting the need for adherence to legal frameworks governing election conduct.
The APC’s legal challenge centered on concerns that RSIEC’s scheduling of the election violated essential legal procedures, particularly regarding the required notice period. This case underscores the importance of compliance with electoral laws in ensuring free and fair elections.
