Lawyer drags INEC to court for the extension of voters’ registration exercise towards the 2019 general elections

A Lagos-based Legal practitioner, Olumide Babalola, has filed a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission for the extension of the voters’ registration exercise beyond August 17, 2018. In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos with suit number FHC/L/CS/1280/18, Mr. Babalola seeks the interpretation of section 9(5) of the Electoral Act vis a vis INEC’s powers to suspend the continuous voters’ registration exercise in August whereas the law provides for a period of 30 days before the general elections. By his originating summons dated 30th day of July 2017, the Plaintiff claims the following reliefs: 1. A DECLARATION that, by virtue of section 9(5) of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended) the Respondent ought not stop/suspend the continuous voters’ registration on the 17th day of August 2018 – a period of about 6 months before the general elections in February 2019. 2. A DECLARATION that the Respondent’s planned suspension of continuous voters’ registration on the 17th day of August 2018 is a violation of sections 9(5) and 10 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended) 3. A PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent from suspending the continuous voters’ registration exercise until 30 days before the 2019 general elections as provided under section 9(5) of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended) 4. Other Consequential order(s) as this honourable court may deem fit to grant in the circumstance.]]>