Explainer: List of Electoral Offences and Their Punishments Ahead of Edo Guber

Explainer: List of Electoral Offences and Their Punishments Ahead of Edo Guber

  • The INEC is prepared to take the lead in conducting another off-cycle governorship election in Edo state on Saturday, September 21
  • Nigerians need to be reminded of the electoral offences that could lead to imprisonment if violated
  • Edo voters and residents will not be spared if these constitutional rules are not strictly adhered to during the election

Like many other countries, Nigeria has laws to regulate electoral processes and prevent electoral offences. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the governorship election in Edo on Saturday, September 21.

As residents of Edo prepare for Saturday's governorship election, they should note that engaging in electoral offences can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment.

The list of electoral offences has been compiled and published ahead of the Edo governorship election on Saturday, September 21.
Know the law: List of electoral offences as Edo people go out for the governorship election on Saturday Photo Credit: @inecnigeria
Source: Twitter

Here are some critical electoral offences in Nigeria:

1. Registration offence

Read also

"Informed decisions": Tinubu sends important message to Edo ahead of election

Section 114 (a to f) of the Electoral Act lists electoral offences related to voter registration.

They include double registration, forgery of registration card, impersonation of the registration officer, and other offences that might lead to "a maximum fine of N1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both."

2. Nomination offences

Section 115 borders on electoral offences that might be perpetrated by any candidate concerning their nomination.

These offences spelt out stipulations that condemn the forgery of nomination papers or results, forgery of ballot papers, destruction of ballot papers, possession of ballot papers without authority and others.

As the Electoral Act's statutory provision states, such offences will attract a fine of "N50,000,000 or imprisonment for a term not less than ten years or both."

3. Violence at political meetings

Read also

Explainer: What do you need to vote in Edo governorship election

Section 116 of the Nigerian Electoral Act stipulates that:

"Any person who, at a political meeting, acts or incites another to act in a disorderly manner for the purpose of preventing the transaction of the business for which the meeting was convened, or has in his possession an offensive weapon or missiles, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both."

4. Improper use of voter card

Section 117 of the Electoral Act condemns the improper use of voter cards.

The Act reads:

"Any person who(a) being entitled to a voters card, gives it to some other person for use at an election other than an officer appointed and acting in the course of his or her duty under this Act
"(b) not being an officer acting in the course of his or her duty under this Act, receives any voters card in the name of some other person or persons for use at an election uses it fraudulently,

Read also

Edo governorship election 2024: 3 reasons Obaseki's PDP may lose poll

"(c) without lawful excuse has in his possession more than one voters card, or
"(d) buys, sells, procures or deals, with a voters card otherwise than as provided in this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N1,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both."

5. Impersonation and voting when not qualified

Section 119 condemns any attempt by an individual not qualified to vote to impersonate the identity of another voter.

The statute also frowns at a qualified voter who had voted during an election and decided to impersonate another person to vote again in the same election.

Such offences attract a "fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both."

Other notable electoral offences include dereliction of duty (Section 120), bribery and conspiracy (Section 121), and requirement of secrecy in voting (Section 122).

Others include wrongful voting and false statements (Section 123), voting by an unregistered person (Section 124), disorderly conduct at elections (Section 125), offences on election day (Section 126), undue influence (Section 127), threatening (Section 128), and so on.

Read also

Edo guber: “Military has the mandate,” CDS Musa issues strong warning to local security, vigilante

Primate Ayodele predicts Edo election

Legit.ng earlier reported that the PDP candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, Asue Ighodalo, was predicted to become the next governor of the state.

Primate Elijah Ayodele made the revelation in a video on his X page. According to the cleric, the people of Edo state would suffer should any party other than the PDP win the election.

Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Bada Yusuf avatar

Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished politics and current affairs editor, boasting over 7 years of experience in journalism and writing. He is a graduate of OAU, and holds Diploma in Mass Comm. and BA in Literature in English. He has obtained certificates in Leadership and received the "Certificate for Breakthrough of the Year 2022" in recognition of his great performance during his first year at Legit.ng. Worked as Editor with OperaNews. Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng or call 08161717844