Justice Inyang Ekwo of an Abuja-based Federal High Court has given reason why court can not compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resume the Continuous Voter’s Registration (CVR)
The Justice, while delivering a judgment on a suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1343/2022 INEC initiated by Anajat Salmat, Mr Earnest Stanley, Charles Okafor and Mr Samuel Oluwakemi against INEC for discontinuing the voter registration exercise on July 3, yesterday, explained that going by the date of the verdict, INEC would have had “just a few days away from 90 days before the general elections.
Justice Ekwo, however, declared that INEC “is expected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 76 (2), 77 (2), 116 (2), 117 (2), 132 (2) & (5) and 178 (2) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as Sections 9 (1), 9 (6), 10 (1) and 12 (1) of the Electoral Acts, 2022, to continue voters registration, update and revision of voters register until 90 days before the General Election billed to take place on Feb. 25 and March 11.
“It is the constitutional responsibility of the defendant (INEC) to make sure that every prospective Nigerian voter who havep shown desire to register to vote are not deprived, their civil right to register and participate in the forthcoming general elections scheduled to take place on 25th February, 2023 and 11th March, 2023.”
According to Justice Ekwo, “this court is unable to grant relief number 3 of the plaintiffs because going by the date of this judgement, from the date of this judgement, the defendant will have just a few days away from 90 days before the general elections of 25th February, 2023 and 11th March, 2023.”
The plaintiffs had prayed the court for three reliefs which include “a declaration that the defendant is expected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 76 (2), 77 (2), 116 (2), 117 (2), 132 (2) & (5) and 178 (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as Sections 9 (1), 9 (6), 10 (1) and 12 (1) of the Electoral Acts, 2022, to continue voters registration, update and revision of voters register till 90 days before the general election.
“A declaration that it is the constitutional responsibility of the defendant to make sure that every prospective Nigerian voter who have shown desire to register to vote are not deprived their civil right to register and participate in the forthcoming general elections.
“An order of court directing the defendant to resume immediately the registration of new voters, updating and revision of the register of voters until at least 90 days to the general election slated to hold In 5th February, 2023 and 11th March, 2023.”
