CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING THE DOCTRINE OF SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE IN ELECTION PETITION CASES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The doctrine of substantial compliance in election petition cases in Nigeria involves navigating subjective interpretations, meeting high burdens of proof, and addressing procedural irregularities. Challenges include varying judicial interpretations, political influences, and the need for consistency across jurisdictions. Case law demonstrates these issues, highlighting the complexity of determining whether election irregularities are substantial enough to affect the results of the elections. Substantial compliance doctrine in election petition cases in Nigeria often leads to debates and controversies due to its subjective nature and varying interpretations by courts/tribunals. The writer adopts doctrinal methodology in this article. This article examines the concept of challenges and controversies as well as that of substantial compliance and election petition in Nigeria. The article equally looks in details the challenges and controversies in the application of substantial compliance doctrine in election petition cases in Nigeria.