BREAKING: ‘We’ll See INEC In Court On Voter Registration’ — SERAP Says Unsatisfied With 60-Day Extension

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has insisted on forging ahead with its lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) despite reports that the commission has agreed to extend the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by 60 days.

The CVR extension was disclosed by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Aishatu Jibril Dukku, while briefing lawmakers on Wednesday.

At the plenary, Dukku said, “He (INEC chairman) has already agreed to extend but for the court injunction he is to appear on the 29th of June,” she had said.

“That notwithstanding, he said it has been guaranteed that it has to be extended, and not just extending, but also it would additionally be done during weekends. He has agreed to that and he is going to make a statement very soon to that effect.

“That extension also involves additional machines, additional ad-hoc staff, and of course, he’s going to collaborate with the security agencies to make sure that is also done.

“So, all the prayers of the motion were approved and all members of the committee were there, including the mover of the motion.”

Various individuals and groups, including SERAP, had called on the electoral body to extend the CVR exercise which was to end on June 30.

Reacting to news of the extension, SERAP said it was a welcome development but “still falls short of statutory requirements and international standards.”

It added, “We’ll see INEC in court next week to make our case for INEC to fully comply with the Electoral Act.”