Court bars INEC from releasing voters’ register to Rivers electoral commission ahead of October 5 polls

An Abuja-based court has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) ahead of the October 5, 2024, local government election in the State.

This followed an order of a high court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has ordered RSIEC to conduct the forthcoming local government elections in the state, using the 2023 voters’ register.

Justice I. Igwe of High Court gave the order on September 4, 2024 in a case instituted by the Action People’s Party (APP) against the State Electoral umpire, the Rivers State Government and the Governor of Rivers State.

In the suit marked PHC/2696/CS/2024, filed by Action Peoples Party (APP) against RSIEC, the Rivers State Government, and the Governor of Rivers State, the court emphasized the importance of conducting elections within three months to fill vacant council positions, as mandated by the Supreme Court.

The court declared that the Rivers State Government and Governor are bound by Section 7, subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999, as amended, to ensure that local government councils are run by democratically elected officials.

Additionally, the court ordered the Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Army, and other security agencies to provide adequate security during and after the polls to prevent security breaches.

This development comes amid controversy surrounding the elections, with some parties questioning the legitimacy of the process.

However, RSIEC Chairman, Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, had reassured stakeholders that the commission is prepared to conduct the elections as scheduled, citing Section 60, Subsection 2 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law of 2018.