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Court Orders INEC to Allow Two Nigerians to Vote Without PVCs
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to permit two registered voters to use Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) in the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections set for March 18.
The court granted the order on the grounds that the plaintiffs had been duly registered and were captured in the national database of voters.
While making the ruling, Justice Obiora Egwuatu said that there was no portion of the law, including the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, that stated only PVCs could be used, but that Section 47 of the Electoral Act provided for a voter’s card.
Justice Egwuatu further held that the suit was not filed in a representative capacity, so he could not grant the third prayer to allow eligible voters with a TVC to vote.
The ruling means that the two plaintiffs can vote with their TVCs. The court also declared that the plaintiffs were entitled to vote using their TVCs in the 2023 General Election.
Speaking after the judgment, the counsel to the plaintiffs, Victor Opatola, said that the ruling was a victory for all Nigerians who, through no fault of their own, failed to obtain their PVCs before the election despite having registered to vote.
Credit: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/586985-court-orders-inec-to-allow-two-nigerians-vote-without-pvcs.html
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