Legislative Action: The House of Representatives during Wednesday's plenary session.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed fresh amendments to the Electoral Act, introducing new provisions to clarify jurisdiction in pre-election disputes and to allow technology-driven service of election petition processes.
The bills, presented by Adebayo Balogun (APC, Lagos) on behalf of the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, were debated and adopted during a plenary presided over by Mr. Kalu. The latest changes come amid continuing legislative adjustments to Nigeria’s electoral framework, following months of controversy over earlier amendments to the law.
One of the newly passed amendments seeks to address persistent legal uncertainty over the appropriate courts for filing pre-election cases. Mr. Balogun explained that the bill amends Section 29(5) of the principal law to expand the grounds on which aspirants can institute suits challenging false information submitted by candidates. Under the revised provision, such cases may now be filed either in the Federal Capital Territory or in the jurisdiction where the cause of action arose, a move intended to ease access to justice and reduce procedural delays.
The bill also introduces a new Section 29A to clearly define jurisdiction across different categories of pre-election disputes. Under the framework, disputes relating to the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly, and governorship elections will originate in the Federal High Court, with appeals to the Court of Appeal. In contrast, pre-election matters concerning presidential elections will commence at the Court of Appeal, which will exercise original jurisdiction, with further appeals lying to the Supreme Court.
“The overall objective is to streamline adjudication, ensure speedy dispensation of justice and strengthen the integrity of the electoral process,” noted Mr. Balogun.
In a separate amendment, the House approved provisions to modernize the service of election petition processes by incorporating electronic communication. The bill requires candidates, upon submitting nomination forms, to provide verifiable physical addresses alongside functional electronic contact details, such as email addresses and telephone numbers. It also revises the First Schedule to the Act to recognize electronic service as legally valid.
The law now broadens the definition of “electronic means” to accommodate evolving communication technologies. During the debate, Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoto) raised concerns about the reliability of electronic communication, warning about the risks of scams and the uncertainty of message delivery.
Responding, Mr. Kalu stated that the amendment does not abolish existing methods but merely expands available options. He noted that electronic communication is already widely used in sectors such as banking and should not be excluded from legal processes, stressing: “As a society, we must evolve.”
The latest legislative action marks the second amendment to the electoral law within the last five months. In December, the National Assembly passed an earlier version making electronic transmission of results mandatory, but the Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, rejected the mandatory provision. Amid backlash, the Senate reaffirmed in February that electronic transmission remains optional, citing concerns over internet connectivity.
President Bola Tinubu assented to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 in February. However, Clause 60, which makes electronic transmission of election results optional, remains the most contentious aspect of the law. The fresh amendments passed on Wednesday are seen as part of a continuing effort to refine the legal framework and strengthen the credibility of electoral dispute resolution.
🤔 Question Board
With legal papers now servable via SMS and Email, do you think this ends the era of politicians "dodging" court bailiffs?
Modernizing court service is a win, but the real test remains Clause 60. As long as electronic transmission of results is "optional," the integrity of the polling unit data (Form EC8A) remains the most critical shield against manipulation.