THE RELATIONAL IMPACT OF SECTION 65 OF ELECTORAL ACT 2026 ON JUDICIAL ADJUDICATION OF ELECTORAL DISPUTES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Section 65 of Electoral Act, 2026 has been a double edge sword in the hand of the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, during post – election procedure and collation of election results. The paper examined the effects of Section 65 of Electoral Act, 2026 on judicial adjudication of electoral disputes in Nigeria. The paper adopted doctrinal approach by examining constitutions, statutes, books, opinion of authors, journals, dictionaries, conference papers, websites, dailies, periodicals, and etcetera, in order to buttress the effects of Section 65 of Electoral Act, 2026 on judicial adjudication of electoral disputes in Nigeria. The authors argued that apparent gaps in reconciling conflicting regimes of law. The paper maintained the presence of conflicting areas of the law with the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The authors therefore, concluded the need for legislative reforms in ensuring unhindered judicial resolution of electoral disputes in Nigeria.