Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate allegations of electoral violence and other electoral offences against some state governors and their deputies during the 2023 elections.
SERAP, in its suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/583/2023, is asking the court for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to seek the appointment of independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences against the state governors and their deputies.
The civil society organisation is also praying the court for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the elections, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.
The applicant is also asking the court to grant an order of mandamus directing and compelling INEC to prosecute all arrested electoral offenders in the 2023 general election in the custody of law enforcement and anticorruption agencies.
In an affidavit attached to the suit, SERAP averred that by allegedly engaging in electoral violence and other electoral offences in such blatant a fashion, suspected perpetrators and their sponsors have clearly acted in violation of constitutional provisions, international standards and the Electoral Act.
The applicant also submitted that, identifying, arresting, investigating and prosecuting any politicians and their sponsors suspected to be responsible for electoral offences during the elections would end the impunity of perpetrators and that it would also advance Nigerians’ right to freely participate in their own government.”
SERAP also maintained that addressing the brazen impunity and reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences during the 2023 general elections would also send a strong message to politicians that they would be held to account for any infringement of the electoral process.
It further claimed, in the suit which is yet to be assigned to a judge, that election violence is inconsistent and incompatible with the principles of democracy, the rule of law, transparency and accountability.
The applicant insisted that section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act allows INEC to seek the appointment of an independent counsel to probe allegations of electoral violence and other electoral offences that may have been committed by any state governors and/or their deputies.
SERAP also stated, “When politicians and their sponsors decide to engage in electoral violence and other electoral offences rather than contest fairly for people’s votes, there are possibilities that such politicians will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.
“Ending impunity for electoral violence and other electoral offences would promote accountability of suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, ensure justice for victims, and ultimately advance the people’s right to vote as well as bolster voter confidence in the electoral process.
“Electoral violence and other electoral offences reportedly committed during the 2023 general elections are contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act and international standards.
“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
“Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election.
“Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of INEC or any legal practitioner appointed by it.’ Under section 2(b), the commission shall have power to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.
“According to a report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), several polling units recorded violence and/or fighting across the country.
“These violent incidents were often focused in political strongholds of opposition or perceived opponents which suggest that the use of BVAS – which limits over-voting when properly used – has resulted in a more concerted effort to stymie citizens casting their votes in opponent’s strongholds.
“Similar incidents of intimidation were reported in the six geo-political zones.”
“In several states, political thugs, apparently with the support of law enforcement officials, disrupted and sent back voters intending to vote for opposition parties. Party agents were reported to be directing people who to vote for while those unwilling to do as directed were denied ballot papers and forced to leave the polling units.
“There were reports of destruction of used ballot papers and vandalization of entire polling units in some states. Violence was also used to target BVAS machines in order to disrupt the process and ensure the cancellation of results.
“According to the CDD, there are reports of vote trading in zones across the country, with cash and goods used by all political parties to entice voters to cast their ballots in their direction. The CDD noted vote buying at polling units during the elections across the country,” the applicant stated.
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