Electoral violence: SERAP urges INEC to investigate governors and deputies

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, to “urgently request the appointment of an independent lawyer to investigate allegations of electoral violence and other offences, including bribery of state governors and their deputies in the just-concluded general elections."

SERAP also urged him to “promptly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral crimes committed during the general elections, and to identify the alleged perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution, regardless of their political status or affiliations.”

In the letter dated March 25, 2023 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: "By allegedly engaging in election violence and other electoral crimes in such a blatant manner, the alleged perpetrators and their sponsors clearly acted in violation of constitutional provisions, international standards and electoral law.”

SERAP said: "Section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act allows INEC to request the appointment of independent counsel to investigate allegations of election violence and other electoral offenses such as bribery that may have been committed by any state governors and/or their deputies.”

According to SERAP, “INEC should promptly work with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) and other law enforcement agencies to identify any suspected politicians and sponsors to be responsible for electoral violence and other electoral crimes during the election."

The letter, read in part: "Identifying, arresting, investigating and prosecuting those suspected of having carried out electoral violence and other electoral crimes during the 2023 general election would have a deterrent effect against electoral violence during 'future elections.'

"We would appreciate it if you could take immediate action to implement the recommended actions within 7 days of receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then , SERAP will consider appropriate legal action to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest."

“Acting quickly to tackle brazen impunity and reports of electoral violence and other electoral crimes in the 2023 general election would also send a strong message to politicians that the INEC, under your leadership, will not would tolerate any violation of the electoral process."

“Election violence is a threat to fair and representative elections. It is inconsistent and incompatible with the principles of democracy, rule of law, transparency and accountability for politicians to allegedly use violence to disrupt the electoral process."

"When politicians and their sponsors decide to engage in election violence and other electoral crimes rather than compete fairly for people's votes, it is possible that those politicians are showing a disregard for democratic rules and that a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.”

“If voting is as important as INEC always claims, now is the time to take meaningful steps and action to end impunity for electoral violence and other electoral crimes during elections. ."

“Ending impunity for election violence and other electoral crimes promotes accountability of alleged perpetrators and their sponsors, secures justice for victims, and ultimately advances the right of the people to vote and participate in their own government, as well as build voter confidence in the electoral process.”

“Identifying, investigating, naming and defaming those suspected of involvement in electoral violence and other electoral crimes in the 2023 general election will also send a powerful message to politicians and their sponsors that they do not will not get away with their crime against the Nigerian people.”

"Election violence and other electoral crimes allegedly committed in the 2023 general election are contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, electoral law and international standards."

"Election violence and other electoral crimes undermine INEC's ability to carry out its responsibilities under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 15(a) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution and the electoral law of 2022."