The amendment further allows aspirants to file suits either in the Federal Capital Territory or in the jurisdiction where the cause of action arose.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Senate on Thursday passed amendments to the Electoral Act, 2026, restricting jurisdiction over pre-election matters to the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Under the amendment, pre-election disputes relating to National Assembly, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will originate at the Federal High Court, with appeals going to the Court of Appeal.
The Senate also approved that pre-election matters involving presidential and vice-presidential elections would commence at the Court of Appeal exercising original jurisdiction, while appeals would terminate at the Supreme Court.
The amendment further allows aspirants to file suits either in the Federal Capital Territory or in the jurisdiction where the cause of action arose.
The bill, sponsored by Simon Bako Lalong, scaled through both second and third reading during plenary.
Leading debate on the legislation, Lalong said the amendment was aimed at ending conflicting court decisions, forum shopping and delays in the resolution of electoral disputes.
According to him, the legislation would promote uniformity in electoral adjudication and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
“Democracy thrives not merely on the conduct of elections, but also on the credibility, certainty and predictability of the legal processes that precede those elections,” he said.