The Nigerian judiciary is a major actor in the promotion of credible elections due to the decisive role they play. The European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) report on the 2019 general elections, had included in one of its priority recommendations, the need to improve access to judicial remedy, review of jurisdiction of election tribunals and strengthening of the Judicial capacity of judges via training on election-related matters and improved case-management mechanisms. PLAC and DAI under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme provided this capacity building support to strengthen the work and role of the Judiciary as it relates to election matters.

The workshop targeted Justices of the Court of Appeal and Judges/Members of the Election Petition Tribunal provided an avenue to build their skills on effective resolution of election disputes ahead of the upcoming 2023 General Elections. Also considering a new legal framework for elections in place, the Justices/Judges were trained on the application of the new Electoral Act, 2022 as well as on Practice and Procedure in Election Petition Tribunals. A further interactive session between the Justices/Judges and INEC is expected to discuss common challenges in managing and adjudicating elections with the aim of ensuring improved outcomes in 2023.

At the opening ceremony of the workshop, the Judicial Electoral Manual for Judges was launched/unveiled. The manual is a guide for Justices/Judges to promote improved adjudication of Election Petitions.

Date: 7th – 10th November 2022
Venue: National Judicial Institute, Abuja

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