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Arrangement of sections

Part III - Election Tribunals

285 - Establishment and jurisdiction of election tribunals

285. (1) There shall be established for the Federation one or more election tribunals to be known as the National Assembly Election Tribunals which shall, to the exclusion of any or tribunal, have original jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions as to whether -

(a) any person has been validly elected as a member of the National Assembly;

(b) the term of office of any person under this Constitution has ceased;

(c) the seat of a member of the Senate or a member of the House of Representatives has vacant; and

(d) a question or petition brought before the election tribunal has been properly or improperly brought.

(2) There shall be established in each State of the Federation one or more election tribunals to be known as the Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunals which shall, to the exclusion of any court or tribunal, have original jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions as to whether any person has been validly elected to the office of Governor or Deputy Governor or as a member of any legislative house.

(3) The composition of the National Assembly election Tribunals, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunals shall be as set out I the Sixth Schedule to this Constitution.

(4) The quorum of an election tribunal established under this section shall be the Chairman and two other members.