The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that 54 officials reportedly found to have compromised the electoral process are investigated and prosecuted.
The Centre said the officials must face the full wrath of the law, warning that failure to punish those involved would further undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos and signed by its Executive Director, Gbenga Soloki, CAIDOV described the revelation as a damning indictment of the electoral system and a confirmation of longstanding concerns that some officials entrusted with conducting free, fair and credible elections were undermining democracy for selfish and partisan interests.
The organisation maintained that identifying, querying or redeploying the affected officials was not enough, insisting that those who betrayed the trust of Nigerians must be thoroughly investigated, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.
According to CAIDOV, compromised INEC officials pose an even greater threat to democracy than ballot box snatchers because they operate from within the electoral system, manipulate results, disenfranchise voters and undermine the people’s mandate under the cover of official duty.
It warned that the 54 officials must not be shielded by political godfathers, quietly retired or transferred to other states to evade accountability.
“Anything less will be a mockery of democracy and an insult to millions of Nigerians who stood in the sun and rain to vote,” the Centre said.
CAIDOV consequently demanded the immediate public disclosure of the names of the affected officials and the specific offences attributed to them.
It also called for their immediate suspension and thorough investigation by the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), followed by swift prosecution under the Electoral Act.
Beyond the prosecution of the affected officials, the Centre advocated a comprehensive cleansing of INEC, including a review of its recruitment, training and posting procedures.
It further demanded adequate protection for whistleblowers who exposed the alleged compromise within the electoral system.
The organisation warned that allowing electoral offenders to escape punishment could erode Nigerians’ faith in the electoral process, worsen voter apathy and further weaken the country’s democracy.
It also urged the National Assembly to strengthen the Electoral Act by introducing stiffer penalties for electoral offences, particularly those committed by INEC officials entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of elections.
Reiterating its commitment to monitoring the electoral process, exposing electoral fraud and promoting good governance, transparency and accountability, CAIDOV said Nigeria deserved credible elections and an electoral commission that could command public trust.
It added that electoral offenders, whether operating in uniform or within public offices, must be held accountable for their actions.
