Court Nullifies Election Re-ordering Bill

Rasaq AbdulKareem/

A Federal High Court in Abuja today nullified the National Assembly Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The bill sought to provide a new order, which the Independent National Electoral Commission must follow in conducting the 2019 general elections.

The suit challenging the controversial bill was filed by the Accord Party.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed determined that the bill was in clear breach of the provisions of paragraph 15(a) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution which empowers INEC to organise and conduct elections.

The judge also held that INEC has issued its timetable for the 2019 general elections, the later passage of the bill to reverse the electoral body’s decision was in breach of sections 4, 5 an 6 of the Constitution.

The court ruled that the powers conferred on INEC to conduct elections comprised the powers to decide the sequence of the elections and fix dates for the elections and such powers could never be taken away by an Act of the National Assembly.

The court consequently resolved all the issues formulated in favour of the plaintiff and against the National Assembly.

It also granted all prayers sought by the plaintiff except one which sought to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to withhold assent to the bill.

Justice Mohammed ruled on Wednesday that it was no longer necessary to grant such prayers since the President had refused to give his assent to the bill.

0