Presidential Election Court Rejects Labour Party's INEC Technology Inquiry

The presidential election petition court has dismissed the application filed by the Labour Party and Peter Obi, seeking an order to question INEC on the technology deployed for the general elections. The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to grant the request as it was brought outside the pre-hearing session and was therefore incompetent. The court held that the application was an afterthought and that the applicants failed to disclose any extreme circumstance that prevented them from filing within the statutory time. The court stated that motions cannot be heard at the hearing session and deemed the application abandoned.

The petitioners, in their dispute over the election outcome, accused INEC of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and failure to transmit the results in real-time on the INEC results viewing portal. They sought to question INEC on the technology deployed and the quality of the ICT experts involved in the conduct of the election. The petitioners requested the court to order INEC to provide the names and details of its ICT professionals and to answer 12 specific questions, including the date of functionality tests conducted on the system and the names of those who conducted the tests. However, the court dismissed the application, stating that it lacked jurisdiction and struck it out.

The ruling is a setback for the Labour Party and Peter Obi as they continue to challenge the election that brought President Bola Tinubu into power. The court's decision emphasizes the importance of adhering to procedural rules and filing applications within the specified timeframes. It underscores the need for petitioners to present compelling circumstances to justify any deviations from the established procedures. As the petition continues, the court's rulings shape the course of the proceedings, determining the admissibility of evidence and the scope of inquiry into INEC's conduct during the elections.

The dismissal of the application highlights the challenges faced by the petitioners in their attempt to question the technology and procedures employed by INEC. It underscores the significance of providing substantive evidence to substantiate their claims of non-compliance and irregularities. The court's decision also emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process, ensuring that all parties involved adhere to the stipulated rules and regulations.

The presidential election petition court will continue to hear the arguments and submissions from the petitioners and respondents. The outcome of the case will have far-reaching implications, not only for the parties involved but also for the credibility and integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria. The court's rulings and final judgment will determine whether the election results will be upheld or overturned, and the implications of this decision will shape the future of the political landscape in the country.

(NAN)