Abstract:
The Electoral Act 2022 (the Act) has repealed the Electoral Act
No 6, 2010 and now regulates the conduct of federal, state and
area councils elections. The Act also makes provisions, inter
alia, for restriction of qualification for elective office to the
relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria 1999 (CFRN); the use of card readers and other
devices in elections and political party primaries; criteria for
substitution of candidates; limits of campaign expenses and
the omission of names of candidates or logo ofpolitical parties.
One of the significant developments in the Act is the
jurisdictional restriction of all pre-election matters to the
Federal High Court in its section 84(14)'. Prior to the
amendment of the Act, the jurisdiction to determine federal and
state pre-election matter was principally vested jointly in the
Federal High Court, State High Court and the High Court of
The Federal Capital Territory pursuant to Section 87 (9) of the
old electoral Act 2010. Pre-election matter and litigation
essentially refer to intra-party disagreement arising from issues
of qualification, disqualification, nomination, substitution,
wrongful omission, false declaration, on oath, conduct of
primaries and sponsorship of candidates for general elections.
This work adopts the doctrinal research methodology and uses
statutory and case law, internet resources, journals and other
literal juristic works to achieve its purpose.
