The Independent National Electoral Commission has been directed by the Federal High Court in Lagos to electronically and immediately transfer the results of the upcoming gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in Lagos State from the polling places to the IReV.
The Labour Party and 41 other parties had sued, seeking a mandamus order to force INEC to follow the Electoral Act and its rules for the conduct of the elections. Judge Peter Lifu issued the order in his ruling on the case.
The judge determined that since the lawsuit was filed in conformity with the law’s requirements, the court had the authority to hear it.
Moreover, he determined that the relief requested by the petitioners has nothing to do with election administration and instead deals with election preparation.
The applicants’ only goal, according to Judge Lifu, was to force the electoral board to observe the Constitution, its rules, and directives after it did not during the presidential and National Assembly elections conducted on February 25.
To comply with and enforce Clause 37 of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022 for the conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State on March 11, 2023, the court granted the applicants “an order of mandamus directing and compelling the defendant and all its agents and their privies or any persons acting under their directions to p
