The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it is constitutionally and legally impossible for it to continue voters registration following a court order directing it to resume voters’ registration for the 2023 election.
INEC spokesperson Festus Okoye said this while speaking on a programme aired on Channels Television on Tuesday.
“It would be constitutionally and legally impossible for the commission to resume the continuous voter registration exercise,” Okoye said.
The INEC official also cited challenges of resources and mobilisation of security personnel as factors that will hinder a resumption of voters’ registration.
A federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered INEC to resume the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise.
Justice Inyang Ekwo said the voters’ registration ought to last until 90 days before the 2023 general election.
In a suit filed by one Anajat Salmat and three others, the plaintiff argued that INEC cannot stop the continuous voter registration before the time stipulated by law.
Justice Ekwo agreed with the plaintiffs and ordered the electoral umpire not to deprive citizens of the opportunity to have their voter cards for the forthcoming poll.
“The case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” the judge declared.
Okoye said that while INEC “abide and obey judgements and orders from properly constituted courts of law”, it is unrealistic to resume the CVR.
“Realistically, it will be next to impossible for the commission to mobilize the necessary resources to go back and start the CVR,” Okoye said.
“Second, realistically, it will be next to impossible to mobilize the number of personnel required to carry out the exercise.
“It will also be next to impossible to mobilize the number of security personnel that will be required to continue the CVR.”
