LG polls: Court orders Rivers commission to use 2023 voters’ register

A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has mandated the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to utilise the 2023 voters’ register for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

The ruling, delivered by Justice I. Igwe of High Court Number 14, came in response to a case brought by the Action People’s Party (APP) against the RSIEC, the Rivers State Government, and the Governor of Rivers State.

In the order issued on September 4, but reported by Channels Television on Sunday, the court stressed that the defendants are obligated to adhere to Section 7, Subsection 1 of the Constitution and Section 5(A) of the RSIEC Law Number 2 of 2018.

The judge underscored the necessity of conducting local government polls promptly, particularly after the tenure of the previous elected officials expired on June 17.

Additionally, the court noted the recent directive from the Federal Government requiring states without democratically elected local governments to hold elections within three months, following a Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.

The court urged that all essential arrangements be finalized to ensure the elections proceed on October 5, 2024, as announced by RSIEC.

The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Force have also been instructed to provide adequate security during the election process.