By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Federal High Court Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing registration of voters beyond its earlier deadline of June 30, 2022.
The presiding judge, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon granted an order of Interim Injunction following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by a civil society organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
SERAP and 185 concerned Nigerians had in early June filed the lawsuit against INEC asking 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.”
In the suit, SERAP had asked the court for “an order restraining INEC, its agents, privies, assigns, or any other person(s) claiming through it 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.”
However, the suit was adjourned to June 29, 2022 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
There has been a growing clamour for the electoral umpire, INEC not to halt the registration of voters in order not to disenfranchise a large number of Nigerians who are yet to be documented in the country’s voters register.
Recall that there was an upsurge in the number of young people who indicated interest to obtain their permanent voters card, PVC to qualify to participate in the next year general elections.
This may not be unconnected with mass mobilisation of youths on the social media by top celebrities who believe that the young generation has a role to play in the governance structure of Nigeria.
Also last week, upon resumption of plenary, Nigeria’s House of Representatives adopted a resolution after a motion moved by Hon. Benjamin Kalu representing Bende Federal Constituency Abia state, urging INEC to extend the ongoing registration of voters.
