INEC Challenge Reversal Of Deregistration Of 22 Parties By Appeal Court

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will be challenging the Appeal Court judgement which reversed the deregistration of some political parties in the country at the Supreme Court. 

 

Recall that the Court of Appeal in its judgement on Monday August 10, held that INEC ignored due process in exercising its powers under Section 225(a) of the Constitution (as amended).

 

However the electoral umpire's spokesperson, Festus Okoye who pointed out that same court had upheld and validated the power of INEC to deregister the parties in an appeal filed by the National Unity Party two weeks ago, affirmed that they will be seeking the verdict of the supreme court on the two conflicting judgements.

 

Okoye said; 

 

“The Commission is faced with two conflicting judgements from the Court of Appeal; one affirming the powers of the Commission to deregister political parties and the other setting aside the deregistration of ACD & 22 others. 

“Faced with two conflicting judgements from the same Court, the Commission is not in a position to pick and choose which one of them to obey.

“Consequently, the Commission will approach the Supreme Court for a final resolution of the issues raised in the two conflicting judgements.”