The Senate on Thursday, May 7, 2026, passed the 2026 Electoral Act Amendment Bill, a reform aimed at clarifying court jurisdiction in pre-election disputes and strengthening Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.
The bill scaled through after the presentation and consideration of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Plateau State, during plenary.
Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Lalong said the amendment was designed to address persistent uncertainty over which courts have authority to hear pre-election cases, a challenge that has continued to generate conflicting judgments and delays in electoral litigation.
He explained that disputes arising from party primaries, nominations and candidate selection had often suffered from jurisdictional confusion, resulting in prolonged court processes and inconsistent rulings.
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The bill seeks to resolve these challenges by clearly defining the jurisdiction of courts in pre-election matters. It provides that disputes relating to National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections will originate at the Federal High Court, with appeals to the Court of Appeal.
For presidential and vice-presidential election disputes, the Court of Appeal is assigned original jurisdiction, while the Supreme Court retains final appellate authority.
The amendment also introduces clearer timelines to expedite the resolution of disputes and reduce litigation delays that typically precede general elections.
With its passage, the Senate says the reform is expected to enhance legal certainty, reduce electoral disputes, and ensure faster adjudication of pre-election cases ahead of future polls.