Confusion Trails Rivers LG Election Amid Conflicting Court Rulings on INEC Voters’ Register

An Abuja-based Federal High Court has prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) ahead of the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.

This decision follows a previous order from the Port Harcourt High Court, mandating that RSIEC conduct the local government elections using the 2023 voters’ register.

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In a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Justice Peter Lifu ruled on Monday, barring INEC from making the voter register available to RSIEC, citing legal non-compliance. The judge held that the Rivers State Electoral Commission failed to follow proper procedures, particularly by not publishing the required 90 days notice before setting the election date.

The ruling also prevents Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the upcoming election. Justice Lifu emphasized that the voters’ register must be updated and revised before a date for the election can be legally fixed.

The case, originally initiated by the Action People’s Party (APP) against the Rivers State government and the state electoral body, raised concerns about the legality of the October 5 election. Consequently, the court has barred RSIEC from using any voters’ register provided by INEC until all legal requirements are met.