The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to prioritize the prosecution of politicians and their sponsors suspected of electoral offences. In a letter dated October 11, SERAP emphasized the need for effective prosecution to ensure free and fair elections in Nigeria.
According to SERAP, impunity for past electoral offences has been a major barrier to democratic elections in the country. The organization highlighted that violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence have marred elections since 2015. SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare stated that unless perpetrators, especially high-ranking politicians and their sponsors, are held accountable, those contemplating electoral crimes will feel unconstrained in future elections.
The group lamented the lack of accountability for electoral offences, citing the rare prosecution of high-ranking politicians and their sponsors. This, according to SERAP, reinforces a culture of impunity for violations of Nigerians’ democratic rights. The organization emphasized that a fair electoral process cannot be achieved if the body managing the electoral process fails to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences.
SERAP urged Professor Amupitan to prioritize the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in 2027, in conformity with the Nigerian Constitution and international obligations. The organization also called for provisions to be included in the Electoral Act for the timely prosecution of electoral offences and access to justice and effective remedies for voters.
The nomination of Professor Amupitan as the new INEC chairman comes after President Bola Tinubu’s nomination, which is expected to be confirmed by the Senate. Amupitan is set to succeed Mahmood Yakubu, who recently left the position. As the new chairman, Professor Amupitan’s priorities will be closely watched, particularly in addressing the legacy of impunity for electoral offences and ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
