Court orders INEC to include PDP in Plateau re-run polls

AGAINST the backdrop of exclusion of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Saturday’s re-run election, the Federal High Court sitting in Jos has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include the party in Saturday’s re-run polls for Langtang South Constituency.

The electoral body had earlier fixed February 20 for the re-run and supplementary elections for Langtang South, Pankshin North and South constituencies, but had excluded PDP from fielding any candidate.

It had said its decision was based on the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which not only nullified the election for that constituency, but also barred PDP candidate from contesting the re-run.

According to it: “The National and State House of Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos had barred the lawmaker representing the area in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Vincent Bulus, from contesting future elections for the next 10 years.”

Ruling on an interlocutory injunction filed by PDP against the decision of INEC yesterday, Justice D. V. Agishi ordered INEC to insert the logo of PDP in the ballot papers.