SERAP, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take action against sponsors of electoral offences in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states. The organization has urged INEC to identify, arrest, name, and shame the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors of these grave human rights crimes.
SERAP has requested INEC to establish a joint, credible, transparent, effective, and broad-based investigation into allegations of electoral bribery and violence in the off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states.
The organization has emphasized the need for effective prosecution of the perpetrators, regardless of their political status or affiliations.
SERAP has also called on INEC to disclose the spending details on the governorship elections in these states, including the specific amount spent on voter and civic education and related activities.
SERAP has highlighted the critical importance of electoral integrity in a legitimate democracy. When the integrity of the electoral process is compromised, it undermines the legitimacy of the government and erodes public confidence in public institutions.
SERAP has expressed concern that the recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states indicate a lack of progress in addressing the well-documented problems during the 2023 general elections. The organization has urged INEC and politicians to learn from these issues and take effective measures to combat the culture of impunity for electoral offences.
SERAP has given INEC a deadline of seven days to take the recommended measures. If INEC fails to respond within this timeframe, SERAP has threatened to take appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with their request in the public interest.