Paragraph 20
Time and place of hearing petition(1) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (2), the time and place of the hearing of an election petition shall be fixed by the Tribunal or Court and notice of the time and place of the hearing, which may be as in Form TF005 set out in Second Schedule to this Act, shall be given by the Secretary at least five days before the day fixed for the hearing by—
(a) posting the notice on the tribunal notice board; and (b) sending a copy of the notice by registered post or through a messenger to the—
(i) petitioner’s address for service,
(ii) respondent’s addresses for service, if any, or
(iii) Resident Electoral Commissioner or the Commission as the case may be.
(2) In fixing the place of hearing, the Tribunal or Court shall have due regard to the proximity to and accessibility from the place where the election was held.
This makes it mandatory for the Tribunal or Court to fix a specific time and place of hearing of an Election Petition and give Notice of same in FORM TF 005 set out in the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022 and to ensure that the parties in the suit, including INEC, are duly notified to attend and participate in the proceedings.
