TUE, 22 NOV, 2022-theGBJournal| Four months after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide, a Federal High Court in Abuja, today, ordered the Commission to immediately resume the exercise until 90 days before the 2023 general elections.
The ruling emanates from a suit ( FHC/ABJ/CS/1343/2022) filed by one Anajat Salmat and three others. In their originating summon, they argued that INEC cannot stop the exercise contrary to the stipulated provision of the constitution, and urged INEC to resume the exercise in accordance with the laws of the country.
The ruling presents a major challenge to the Commission which has set about printing approximately 185 million voters, after it tallied the number of registered voters nationwide.
Recall that the Commission had insisted it would not be extending the exercise after its deadline on July 31, 2022.
But the judgement today by Justice Inyang Ekwo directing resumption of the exercise truncates the Commission’s decision and desire.
Justice Ekwo in his ruling, said ”it was the constitutional responsibility of INEC to make adequate provision for the exercise in accordance with the Nigerian laws, adding that it (INEC) should ensure eligible Nigerians are not deprived the opportunity to have the voter’s card for the 2023 general election.
According to Justice Ekwo, “the case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit.”
INEC has not reacted to the ruling but analysts say they are certain the ruling will be challenged in a higher court.
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