Some civil society organisations have called for a legislation that will prescribe grave punishment for electoral offenders.
The groups, which spoke under the aegis of Partners for Electoral Reform, included Centre for Policy Advocacy and leadership Development; Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition; Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement.
The groups’ position was contained in their submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Chairman of PER, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, in the submission entitled, ‘Civil society perspectives on preventing election-related violence in the 2015 elections’, said election-related conflict had devastating effects on governance and development.
He said, “It can also degenerate into loss of lives and property as it happened in the 2011 presidential election that left more than 800 people dead. Therefore, as the 2015 election gets closer , there is the need to recommend ways to prevent election-related violence in order to avert a repeat of history.
“There should be a law backed up by the constitution to punish any electoral offender. This punishment should be big enough to deter politicians and other actors that intend to rig the election or cause violence. Ban them for about 15 years or for life from contesting elections or holding political positions.”
The organisation also suggested intensive voter education, special programmes and activities aimed at preparing parties and candidates for election losses.
The PER suggested that “the government should erase all the suspicion that it can manipulate the electoral process in its favour is removed. There is the need for law enforcement agents to maintain peace during and after elections without being biased.”
The coalition called on INEC to assert its independence by ensuring a free and fair election in 2015.
Copyright PUNCH.
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