Edo: INEC expresses worry over conflicting court orders
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worries over the spate of conflicting court orders being obtained by political parties particularly in the build up to governorship primaries in Edo State.
Rising from a meeting on Thursday, the commission expressed displeasure on how conflicting court orders frustrates INEC scheduled programmes of events in the election period.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye in a statement after the meeting said, however, the Commission as a law abiding agency of government will continue to obey court orders.
Okoye said “the Commission is worried about the spate and rapidity of conflicting Court Orders mostly obtained ex-parte involving substantially the same parties, on the same or similar grounds and from courts of coordinate jurisdiction on issues and challenges around the administration of political parties and conduct of party primaries.
“Some of the orders were obtained from Courts completely removed from the geographical area where the course of action arose.
“The Commission is committed to obeying all court orders, but the speed, frequency and conflicting nature of the Orders leave it in an awkward and impossible position”.
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INEC therefore urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to impress on senior members of the Bar to put the country’s interest and the judiciary above every other interest and not allow personal considerations to outweigh their commitment to the profession, the rule of law and due process.
It said that it is in the best interest of the Bar and the Bench not to do anything that would bring them into disrepute.
‘These calls have become necessary to draw attention to the uncertainties and threats posed by conflicting orders on not only preparations for elections but also to the growth and development of our democracy”, he said.
