THE Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to stop the deployment of military personnel for the purpose of monitoring the next general elections.
The court is also urged to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from seeking the assistance of the military for the purpose of monitoring the 2019 general elections.
These formed part of the reliefs sought in a suit filed by a lawyer, Osaze Agbonifo.
Listed as defendants are the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the INEC.
The plaintiff argued, in a supporting affidavit, that the duty of providing security during elections is solely that of the Police.
He contended that responsibilities of the military (made up of the Army, Navy and Air Force) include defending the country from external aggression, maintaining the country’s territorial integrity and securing its borders from violations on land, sea and air.
The plaintiff added that the military could also act to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such condition as prescribed by the Act of the National Assembly.
He said voters would feel harassed and intimidated if the military is allowed to deploy its personnel to polling units, collating and election venues nationwide for election duties during the 2019 general election.
The plaintiff, who raised some issues for the court’s determination, particularly prayed an order of perpetual injunction restraining the armed forces from deploying their personnel to polling units, collation and election venues nationwide for election duties during the 2019 general election.
He also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the INEC from requesting the authorities of the armed forces to deploy their personnel to polling units, collation and election venues nationwide for election duties during the 2019 general election.
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