2019 POLL: LAWYER DRAGS ELECTORAL COMMISSION TO COURT OVER ALLEGED NON-ISSUANCE OF PERMANENT VOTER’S CARD

The statement of the reliefs sought by the applicant has it that, a declaration that the respondent established under section 15 of the third schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 has the statutory responsibility, duty of function under the law and other relevant laws in force in Nigeria to issue the Permanent Voter’s Card to the applicant and other eligible voters having registered with the respondent to vote.

A declaration that the respondent has no discretion to exercise in registering and or issuing a Permanent Voter’s Card to the applicant and other eligible voters that have registered with the respondent for the purpose of contesting(in any election) to vote and being voted for in any election to be conducted by the respondent.

A declaration that the applicant as a registered voter is entitled to vote in any election to be conducted by the respondent, and an order of mandamus, compelling the respondent whether by herself, agents, servants privies or otherwise however to issue the applicant and other eligible voters with his or their Permanent Voters Card for the purpose of contesting, voting or being voted for in any election to be organize and be conducted by the respondent.

The suit added further that, the grounds upon which the reliefs are sought stated that, sometimes in year 2011,the applicant registered with the respondent as an eligible Nigerian to contest the Gubernatorial election in Ogun State and to vote and be voted.

That the applicant was subsequently issued with a voter’s card with voter identification number AAAAAAAAAA295782415. The card issue was described by the respondent as temporary voters card. That after the 2011 general election, the respondent jettisoned the temporary voters card and started issuing what it describe as Permanent Voters Card.

Penpushing further reports that, the applicant said, ‘since2014 I have made effort to get my PVC from the respondent without success. Information at my disposal reveals that all voters card with voters identification number VIN: AAAAAAAAAA starting the number are not being processed for Permanent Voters Card and VIN number on my temporary voters card issued by the respondent has AAAAAAAAAA starting the number.

That the VIN on the Temporary Voters Card issued to me is AAAAAAAAAA295782415,adding that,’I know for a fact that the respondent has no discretion to exercise in registering the applicant as a voter and/or to contest any election of his choice

‘I know for a fact that by virtue of section 10 of the election registration act 1991 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the respondent has the statutory  responsibility, duty and function to register and/or allow the applicant to contest, vote and be voted for..

That the applicant’s name is contained in the register of voter, but despite that the respondent has not made his Permanent Voters Card available to him. That applicant made a complaint concerning no-issuance of Permanent Voters Card to him by the respondent and respondents has refused to see to the complaint of the applicant.

The applicant has the legal competent to invoke the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court in this matter to compel the respondent to discharge her legal and constitutional duties which the respondent owes by the virtue of her office and existence.

The applicant added, ‘I verily believe that it is only the respondent that has been authorize by law to produce and issue a voter’s card capable or being used in any election to be organized and conducted by the respondent

‘Up till now, the respondent has not found it necessary to make available to me my Permanent Voter’s Card. That between year 2014 and 2019, I have visited the appropriate office of the respondent at Abeokuta South Local Government Area to see to the collection of my PVC to no avail’, he cried out