Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has identified electoral offences as one of the major threats to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria. The Commission stated this even as the off-cycle election in Edo State Governorship Election approaches.
INEC while identifying the challenges, noted that electoral offences also increase political tension and trigger violence.
The Head, Legal Department, Legal Services, INEC office, Edo State, Rita Amadi made the disclosure while presenting a paper at the one-day Edo Youth engagement programme.
The programme was put together to educate the youths on their role ahead of the September 21, 2024 Governorship election.
Represented at the occasion by Oba Agbonifo, Amadi, in her paper titled, ‘Electoral Offences and Penalties’, stated the need to interact with the youths. She said the essence of the presentation was to intimate the electorate especially the youths of the existence and applicability of the electoral laws. As well as punishment and penalties when breached.
Amadi, however, noted that the prosecution of electoral offences in Nigeria has become a herculean task.
She said, “One of the major hurdles against the effective prosecution of electoral offences is the abject inefficiency of criminal investigation in Nigeria.
Amadi, therefore, pointed that efforts at mitigating electoral offences could only become effective with the arrest, prosecution and sanctioning of the offenders. She posited that this would lead to end the reign of impunity in the country.
“Electoral offences may be committed by an individual or group of persons. And such individual(s) shall be held liable and punished in accordance with the extant laws.
“Our laws are replete with a reasonable amount of these offences and penalties. Generally speaking, the youths make up a greater percentage of our population. As well as the age bracket that participate in our electoral process at different levels.
“Against this backdrop, it’s critical that the youths get to intimately understand the electoral offences,” she said.
Recall that INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, had at a press briefing, pointed to the challenges the Commission faces in persecuting electorate offenders.
Yakubu acknowledged that the Commission is empowered by the Electoral Act to prosecute electoral offences. He, however, pointed that it lacks the power and resources to make arrests and thoroughly investigate the offences.
In concluding her presentation, Amadi advised all political stakeholders to assist the Commission to fulfil its mandate.
This, she said, is through enlightenment programmes of its agents, supporters or partners. She urged them to do away with the “do or die” mentality in the electioneering process.
source: Daily Post
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