Just In...
Court Orders INEC To Resume Voters Registration.
Reported by: Febechukwu.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately resume the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise until ninety (90) days before the 2023 general elections.
In a landmark judgement, Justice Ekwo also directed the Nigerian electoral body to ensure that eligible Nigerians are not deprived the opportunity to have the voter’s card (PVC) for the February and March 2023 polls.
The Court's decision is in respect of a suit by Anajat Salmat and three others, filed through an Originating Summons in which INEC was the sole defendant.
The Plaintiffs had argued that INEC aired in law by stopping the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise contrary to the stipulated provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
They had prayed the Court to order the electoral umpire to resume the registration exercise until such a time as expressly provided by the law of the country.
In his considered judgement, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that it was the constitutional responsibility of INEC to make adequate provisions for the exercise in accordance with the constitution, upholding the prayers of the Plaintiffs.
“The case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” the Judge declared.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was yet to react on the development at the time of this report.
