The voter list for the August 9 LGA elections for Rivers State has been made public by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s (RSIEC) commissioner of media and civic education, Tamunotonye Tobins, stated that election preparations are proceeding according to plan.
“RSIEC has obtained the updated register of voters for Rivers state, along with the current list of registered political parties in the country,” NAN quoted Tobins to have said.
He mentioned that the electoral commission sent the documents to RSIEC in a letter with the number INEC/RV/SVR/498/155.
“The commission reassures the people of Rivers state of RSIEC’s commitment to conducting credible, free, and fair elections on Saturday, August 9,” he said.
Backdrop
The RSIEC held elections in 23 LGAs in Rivers state on October 5, 2024. While the Action Alliance (AA) prevailed in one LGA, the Action People’s Party (APP) won 22.
Controversy surrounding contradictory court decisions and opposition from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) characterised the run-up to the LGA vote.
A Rivers State High Court ruled on September 4 that RSIEC may use the 2023 voter list to hold the LGA election.
A federal high court in Abuja blocked INEC’s release of the voter registration to RSIEC on September 30.
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Additionally, the court prohibited the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from providing election protection.
Elections were held despite the federal high court’s decision and the security forces’ pullout.
The Supreme Court declared the elections invalid on February 28.
An appeal filed by the APC was upheld by a five-member panel of the highest court.
The Supreme Court ruled in Jamilu Tukur’s lead judgement that there was insufficient proof that the requirements outlined in section 150(3) of the Electoral Act had been fulfilled before the electoral umpire conducted the polls.
The RSIEC then declared that new LGA elections would be held in the state on August 9, 2025.
