STRENGTHENING NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY THROUGH THE PROSECUTION OF ELECTORAL OFFENCES COMMITTED ON THE DAY OF THE POLL

Abstract

On the day of the poll in Nigeria, several offences can be committed that violate the integrity of the electoral process. These offences are explicitly defined in the Electoral Act 2022 and other relevant statutory provisions. These offences are many. They include but not limited to: violence and intimidation, bribery and corruption, impersonation or voting by proxy or voting by unregistered person and multiple voting, destruction of electoral materials, campaigning on election day and obstruction of the electoral process. These offences are serious violations of the electoral process and are treated with strict penalties under Nigerian law. The judiciary plays a crucial role in addressing these offences. The extent of the prosecution of these offences in Nigeria is doubtful. In this article, the writer is making a case for the strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy through the prosecution of these offences. This is borne out of the fact that politicians in Nigeria will not respond to good behavior unless there is a perception that bad behavior will be severely punished. The extent of the prosecution of these offences in Nigeria will be thoroughly examined. This will go a long way in reinforcing the importance of upholding electoral integrity with the aim of reducing the said offences to their barest minimum.