8. At the lapse of the 72-hour time-limit, the Respondent State had not filed a response to the request for provisional measures. 9. On 25 September 2020, the Court issued a Ruling on provisional measures suo motu, the operative part of reads: Orders the Respondent State to: i. Stay the inclusion of the Applicant’s criminal conviction and sentence in the criminal record until the Court decides on the merits of the main Application; ii. Take all necessary steps to immediately remove all obstacles preventing the Applicant from enrolling in the voters’ register; iii. Report to the Court within fifteen (15) days from the date of notification of this Ruling on the implementation of the provisional measures ordered. 10. The said Ruling was transmitted to the Parties the same day. 11. At the lapse of the time-limit of 90 days, the Respondent State had not filed a response to the Application. On 20 December 2020, the Registry drew the attention of the Respondent State to Rule 63(1) of the Rules of Court (hereinafter referred to as “the Rules”),2 which provides that the Court may render a judgment in default. The Respondent State was then granted an extension of 45 days. At the expiry of the 45-day extension the Respondent State did not file its Response to the Application. 12. Pleadings were closed on 21 October 2024 and the Parties were duly notified. 2 Rule 55 of the Rules of Court of 2 June 2010. 4