Court Orders INEC to Conduct Election for Okpe Constituency II in 2027
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make arrangements for the conduct of an election into the newly approved Okpe State Constituency II in the 2027 general elections.
The court, in a judgment delivered on Tuesday, directed the electoral commission to take the necessary steps within 14 days to facilitate the election of a representative for the constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.
The ruling effectively clears another legal hurdle towards restoring electoral representation for the people covered by the newly approved constituency.
The development is significant against the background of the ongoing restructuring of electoral constituencies in Delta State ahead of the 2027 elections. INEC had previously announced the restoration and creation of additional state constituencies as part of its wider delineation exercise.
The electoral commission has also been under pressure to implement constituency changes ahead of the 2027 polls, with stakeholders and litigants pursuing various legal avenues over the delineation and restoration of constituencies in Delta State.
With the latest judgment, the commission is expected to commence the necessary administrative and electoral arrangements for Okpe Constituency II within the 14-day period stipulated by the court.
The emergence of the constituency is expected to pave the way for residents within its jurisdiction to elect a dedicated representative to the Delta State House of Assembly in 2027, subject to INEC's implementation of the judgment and the applicable electoral processes.
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