Paragraph 7
Action by Secretary(1) On the presentation of an election petition and payment of the requisite fees, the Secretary shall immediately—
(a) cause notice of the presentation of the election petition, to be served on each of the respondents;
(b) post on the tribunal notice board a certified copy of the election petition; and
(c) set aside a certified copy for onward transmission to the person or persons required by law to adjudicate and determine the election petition.
(2) In the notice of presentation of the election petition, the Secretary shall state a time, not being less than five days but not more than seven days after the date of service of the notice, within which each of the respondents shall enter an appearance in respect of the election petition.
(3) In fixing the time within which the respondents are to enter appearance, the Secretary shall have regard to—
(a) the necessity for securing a speedy hearing of the election petition; and
(b) the distance from the Registry or the place of hearing to the address furnished under paragraph 4 (4).
i. This paragraph outlines the next actions of the Secretary of an Election Petition Tribunal after the presentation or filing of a Petition.
ii.
The duties of the Secretary of an Election Tribunal in this regard are to include; ensuring
service of Petition on Respondents; posting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Petition on the
Tribunal’s Notice Board; presenting CTC of Petition to the Judges or persons that will
preside
over the Tribunal; stating or fixing the time for entry of appearance by Respondents (not
less
than 5 days and not more than 7 days), taking into consideration the distance between the
address of the Petitioner and the Tribunal and having regard to the necessity of securing
speedy
hearing of the Petition.
Read Abdullahi & Anor V. INEC & Ors (2019) LPELR-49174(CA)
