Court Blocks Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s Request for Voters’ Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been barred by the Federal High Court in Abuja from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024. This ruling comes after the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State filed a suit, which Justice Peter Lifu delivered judgment on Monday.

In his judgment, Justice Lifu criticized RSIEC for setting the election date without adhering to relevant laws. He ruled that the state electoral body had violated the local government election law by failing to publish the mandatory 90-day notice before fixing the election date. The judge further held that the updating and revision of the voters’ register should have been completed before a legally valid election date could be set. As a result, he ordered INEC not to release the certified voters’ register to RSIEC until all legal requirements are met.

Justice Lifu also prohibited RSIEC from accepting or using any voters’ register from INEC for the purpose of the election. Additionally, the court barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the election.

The APC’s legal team, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon, and Ogwu James Onoja, argued the suit on behalf of the party. It is worth noting that this is not the first time Justice Lifu has issued an order in this regard. On July 19, he initially restrained INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC and also restrained the IGP and DSS from participating or providing security for the RSIEC in conducting the election. The judge directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo ante bellum and refrain from taking any further steps in relation to the election until the substantive suit is heard and determined.