AN EXAMINATION OF ELECTION PETITION IN NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

This research examines the election petition tribunal in Nigeria. Election petition tribunals in Nigeria are set up and enforced by the 1999 constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria to hear issues on pre-election matters and election petition matters. This research work was an attempt to justify the existence and consider the merits of election petition tribunals. It also discusses Election Petition tribunal in Nigeria, its role in ensuring the tenets and principles of democracy are upheld. And also its justifiability, jurisdictions, limitations and challenges. The establishment of election petition tribunals in the constitution emphasizes their indispensable and crucial role in democratic governance. It is also important to note that election petition tribunals are the only tribunals established pursuant to constitutional provisions other than the code of conduct tribunal. This research also reviews the various limitations and challenges faced by election petition tribunals in Nigeria such as: Delay in reaching decisions, time frame limitations, corruption, composition of the tribunal. It recommends that the electoral act be amended and stricter penalties be meted out to judges and election petition tribunal members found wanting of corruption and it concludes that Election tribunal in Nigeria can be free and fair and free of challenges if the legislation is amended accordingly.