The court lamented that INEC has consistently shown bias, even though it is supposed to be neutral in election litigation. The institution was reminded of its duty to act as an impartial umpire between parties in an election.
It was emphasized that INEC should conduct its duties responsibly, keeping in mind that its role in election management has a direct impact on the country’s peace and well-being.
The role of INEC in election disputes should be limited to presenting all the documents used in an election and explaining their purpose and origin. INEC should refrain from behaving irresponsibly and pretending that no one is seeing its nakedness and its dancing steps.
The court made this statement while delivering judgment in an appeal challenging the Bauchi State House of Assembly election.
The court made the remark in an appeal brought before the court by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election, Khalid Abdulmalik-Ningi.
INEC had declared that Suleiman of the PDP polled a total of 16, 866 votes to defeat his closest rival, Abdulmalik-Ningi of the APC, who scored 15, 065 votes in the election that was held on March 18.
However, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, the APC candidate lodged a petition before the State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.
INEC, a respondent in the matter, denied the claim that there was over-voting, it failed to produce any witness before the tribunal, which eventually dismissed the petition.
However, the panel, in its unanimous decision, nullified the election of the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, who was earlier declared the winner of Ningi Central Constituency in the state by INEC.
The court held that evidence before it established that the election was inconclusive.