The Senate has passed an amendment to the 2026 Electoral Act Bill, seeking to establish a clearer legal framework for the handling of pre-election disputes ahead of the next general elections.
The bill was passed during plenary on Thursday, following the presentation and consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, chaired by a former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.
The proposed legislation amends Section 29 of the Electoral Act and introduces a new Section 29A aimed at addressing lasting jurisdictional disputes in the judgement of pre-election Issues.
Lalong, said the amendment became necessary due to constant legal and constitutional controversies surrounding the interpretation of pre-election cases by courts across the country and the amendment would control the growing practice of complaint filing multiple suits in different courts in search of favourable rulings.
