The Niger Local Government election has suffered several setbacks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied the request of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission(NSIEC) to use INEC ballot boxes for the elections.
Also, the Federal High Court in Minna has called for the suspension of the process of local government elections scheduled for November 10.
The letter denying NSIEC the use of the INEC ballot boxes has the memo number INEC/SEC/442/VOL.1 dated October 28 and was signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary to the Commission.
The letter reads: “Re: Request for use of INEC Ballot Boxes by the Niger state Independent Electoral Commission. Your letter No. INECNGS/SEC/189 dated 21 October 2022 on the above subject refers.
“Be informed that the request by the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission for use of INEC Ballot Boxes is NOT APPROVED. Furthermore, you are directed not to release any of the Commission’s facilities beyond the Voters’ Register in view of our heightened preparations for the 2023 General Election. Please be guided.”
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The Federal High Court also insisted that the NSIEC suspends the local government polls.
Justice Aminu Garba asked the Attorney General to advise the State Independent Electoral Commission on the reasons why it needs to suspend the process and obey the court’s orders.
Garba stated this when he sat over the case of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which had approached the court alleging a violation of the provision of the Constitution and the electoral act on the procedures related to the conduct of the election.
Responding to the argument by the Attorney General, Nasara Danmallam, who said that the Court cannot make an order suspending the process of the elections, the Judge adjourned the case to November 2 to address the jurisdiction of the court in hearing and determining the case.
Danmallam argued that the action of the State Independent Electoral Commission does not amount to impunity as it had already issued a notice of elections in July 2022 in furtherance of its mandate under the constituted tuition and Local Government laws.
The Attorney General also argued that the local government election is time bound adding that the law requires that the election must be conducted 39 days before the expiration of the tenure of the occupants of the various elected offices in the Local Government Areas.
Pending the hearing of the case on the 2nd of November, the Judge insisted on his earlier directive that the Attorney General of the State should advise the State Independent Electoral Commission on suspending the process of the Council’s elections.
The House of Assembly has also directed the NSIEC to suspend the election process as it does not follow the constitutional provision as the Chairman of the Commission has been removed due to his unwillingness to follow the due process regarding the election process.
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