The Federal High Court Abuja has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) from ending voter registration on 30th of June, 2022.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon granted the order of interim injunction after taking argument on motion exparte by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, and transferred to Abuja SERAPand 185 concerned Nigerians want the court for an order restraining INEC or it’s agents from discontinuing the continuous voters’ registration exercise from the 30th June 2022 or any other date pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
They want the court to declare unconstitutional, illegal, and incompatible with international standards the failure of the electoral body to extend the deadline for voter registration to allow eligible Nigerians to exercise their rights.
SERAP is also asking the court for a declaration that the failure of INEC to extend the deadline for voter registration is a violation of eligible Nigerians’ rights to participate freely in their own government, equality and equal protection.
And an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to extend voter registration by a minimum of three months and take effective measures to ensure that eligible Nigerians are able to register to exercise their right to vote in the 2023 general elections.
The commission had failed to extend the online pre-registration which ended May 30 2022 and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ending 30 June 2022.
The suit has been adjourned to 29th June, 2022 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction
Editor, Omor Bazuaye
