It was established by the Electoral Commission Act, 1996 to replace a Special Electoral Court which oversaw the 1994 elections and has status similar to that of a division of the High Court.
All members are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
Cases are generally, but not necessarily, heard by all five members of the court.
The court has the power to review the procedural fairness of any decision taken by the IEC.
It hears appeals on the correctness of any decision taken by the IEC if it involves the interpretation of the law, and answers questions of legal interpretation referred by the IEC.