SERAP vows to drag INEC, chairman to court over vote buying in Ekiti poll

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has vowed to drag the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to court if after 14 days they fail to investigate and prosecute those involved in alleged vote buying during the Ekiti State governorship election on Saturday.

In an open letter the organisation sent to Yakubu, it urged him to “promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate allegations of vote buying by both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)” during the election.

It said that INEC should collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in any such investigation.

The organization also urged INEC to “prosecute anyone suspected to be involved and/or complicit in the alleged vote buying, if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence of electoral bribery and abuse of the electoral and democratic process against them.”

“Take steps within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel you and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge your constitutional and statutory responsibilities in the public interest,” it told the INEC chairman.

The letter was dated 17 July, 2018 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni.

The election which had Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the APC candidate for the election declared winner, was marred by incidences of vote buying by the two major political parties in the election, the APC and the PDP.

Responding to the ugly incident SERAP said, “It is the responsibility of INEC as an independent body to take meaningful steps and action to minimise electoral bribery by politicians, ensure political equality and prevent unfair electoral competition. No body politic worthy of being called a democracy entrusts the selection of leaders to a process of auction or barter.

READ ALSO: 11yrs later, EFCC re-arraigns ex-Gov Kalu, increases charges against him

“Vote buying amounts to undue influence and improper electoral influence. When politicians buy votes, they reinforce social subjugation and do long-term damage to poor voters, as vote buying impairs voters’ already limited political power and participation in governance. Offering and giving poor people money to buy their votes is the hallmark of political disrespect, as it implies that politicians perceive voters as lacking autonomy.”

The letter copied to both the ICPC and the EFCC read in part, “Investigating the allegations and prosecuting all those suspected to be involved would indicate your agencies’ willingness to exert your authorities and act as a deterrent against breaches of the electoral process, Nigeria’s anti-corruption legislation and international standards.”

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now