The Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear before it within 72 hours and show cause why the court should not sanction it for excluding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking part in the February 20th, 2016 rerun election for Langtang South local council of the state.
The order was given by Justice D.V. Agishi at the weekend.
The State Organising Secretary of PDP, Michael Dachom, who confirmed the development to journalists in Jos yesterday said the court summons had already been served on the electoral body while the case has been adjourned to tomorrow, 16th February, 2016.
INEC had last week fixed February 20 for rerun and supplementary elections in three state constituencies including Langtang South, Pankshin North and South state constituencies but excluded the PDP in the case of Langtang South, a development which made the party approach the court for redress.
Meanwhile, INEC has approved the use of continuous accreditation and voting during the rerun and supplementary elections in the state, adding that both accreditation and voting will take place simultaneously in the three affected constituencies of Langtang South, Pankshin North and Pankshin South local councils of the state
The Deputy Director and the Head, Voter Education of INEC, Mr. Osaretin Imahiyereobo, in a statement issued in Jos at the weekend said the approved procedure would commence at 8.00a.m and close at 2.00p.m.
The statement further reads: “Card readers will be deployed for the elections and the use of temporary voters cards will not be allowed. Security has been put in place to arrest and prosecute under-aged voters and those who impersonate by using cards not belonging to them.
”State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Dr. Godwin Kwanga, said at a stakeholders meeting at the weekend preparatory to the election that the meeting was necessitated by the preparations as ordered by the court.
THE GUARDIAN NEWS
