The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that it has suspended the proposed delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency, following a Supreme Court judgment.

A media report had reported that the commission had halted the delineation process in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West local government areas.

However, INEC, in a statement on Monday signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, described the report as inaccurate and misleading.

“Our attention has been drawn to a report published by a national newspaper in which an official of the commission was misquoted on the proposed delineation of Wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgment delivered on 2nd December 2022.

“The commission hereby affirms that contrary to the report, the proposed delineation has not been suspended and no final decision has been taken on the matter,” he explained.

Olumekun also clarified that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise is proceeding as planned across all the local government areas within the affected constituency.

“The ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration is being undertaken in all the local government areas under the said constituency,” he stated.

INEC further urged all stakeholders involved in the matter to remain calm and peaceful while the process continues.

“We appeal to all the parties connected to the matter to continue to maintain the peace in the area,” Olumekun said.

The Supreme Court had, on December 2, 2022, ordered the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.

In response, INEC began stakeholder consultations in February 2023 and completed fieldwork by July 2024. A draft delineation report was presented to community leaders during a meeting in Warri on April 4, 2025.

At the time, INEC clarified in a statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on April 10, that the report was still under review. (The PUNCH)