Senate Moves to Fast-Track Electoral Dispute Resolution

The Nigerian Senate has passed amendments to the Electoral Act to hasten the resolution of pre-election disputes and reduce the practice of forum shopping in electoral cases.

The proposed reforms are designed to ensure that pre-election matters are filed only in courts with the appropriate jurisdiction, thereby preventing litigants from seeking favourable rulings from multiple courts across the country.

Under the proposed Section 29A of the Electoral Act, disputes relating to National Assembly, State House of Assembly, governorship, and deputy governorship elections will originate at the Federal High Court, with appeals proceeding to the Court of Appeal.

Senate To Expedite Electoral Dispute Resolution (News Central TV) — Senate.
Credit: Channels TV.

For presidential and vice-presidential election disputes, cases will begin at the Court of Appeal and end at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in line with Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Speaking during plenary, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Simon Lalong, said the amendment was intended to eliminate conflicting judgments, reduce abuse of judicial processes, and shorten delays in resolving electoral disputes.

He added that the reforms would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary and improve the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.

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