The Federal High Court has introduced significant amendments to its 2026 Pre-Election Practice Directions, granting judges the power to conduct virtual hearings, transfer cases across judicial divisions, and keep registries open on weekends and public holidays for election-related filings.
The amendments, signed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, took effect from July 14, 2026, just weeks after the original Practice Directions were issued on June 26.
Announcing the changes, the court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, explained that the revisions were made pursuant to relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and other enabling laws. The goal is to ensure the speedy, efficient, and fair determination of pre-election matters.
Key highlights of the amended rules include:
Virtual hearings: Judges handling pre-election cases can now leverage technology, including virtual proceedings.
Case assignment and transfer: The Chief Judge is empowered to assign judges to any
