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Lawyers Disagree Over INEC’s Date For Rivers Rerun Elections

Questions have been raised over the new date (March 19) announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the National and … Continue reading Lawyers Disagree Over INEC’s Date For Rivers Rerun Elections


INEC, PDP, Anthony Uchechuku, Etche Rerun Polls

INECQuestions have been raised over the new date (March 19) announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the National and State Assembly elections billed to be conducted in the state.

While some lawyers say INEC has the right to decide the appropriate time to conduct the polls, the Attorney General of Rivers State, Emma Aguma, has insisted that the Commission must follow the rule of law by not exceeding the cut-off date for all elections to be conducted in Rivers State in line with the 60 and 90 day order given by the court.

At a recent meeting with INEC officials and political leaders in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, February 6 was first canvassed as the date for the State Assembly and National Assembly rerun election but some political parties disagreed, claiming they needed more time to prepare for the polls.

Meanwhile, the March 19 new date as announced by the electoral body is raising legal questions over whether INEC is within its rights to extend the time.

Some lawyers believe the time limit is at the discretion of the Commission.

For the State Attorney General, there is no provision in the electoral act that allows INEC to exercise the discretion of time