The United Kingdom has expressed concern over alleged violence, voter suppression and vote buying which it said characterised the March 18 governorship and state assembly elections across many states of Nigeria.
The British High Commission in a statement issued on yesterday by Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, warned that the UK will take action to sanction perpetrators of electoral mayhem in the country.
The statement notes: “The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP, said on 21 February, that the UK is prepared to take action against those who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviours, and action could include preventing people from obtaining UK visas or imposing sanctions under our human rights sanctions regime. We can confirm that we are collating relevant information, with a view to taking action against some individuals.
“There were notable points of concern. Members of our observation mission personally observed violence, and voter suppression in numerous voting locations. We witnessed and received credible reports from other observer missions and civil society organisations of vote buying and voter intimidation, the destruction and hijacking of election materials and the general disruption of the process in numerous states including Lagos, Enugu and Rivers.
Violence Marred Guber Polls In Lagos, Kano, Others – EU
“In addition, we observed incidents of harassment of journalists. Freedom of speech and a free press are crucial for a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to go about their work without being threatened.
“The UK is concerned by the use of inflammatory ethno-religious language by some public and political figures. We call on all leaders not just to distance themselves from this kind of language, but to prevent those who speak on their behalf from doing so in this way.”
The UK further praised Nigerians for their commitment to democracy, stressing that many Nigerians were prepared to vote despite being faced with intimidation and hostility.
It however noted that its observer teams to Benue, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Oyo and Rivers States reported improvements around elections logistics by INEC during the gubernatorial elections, particularly when compared to the presidential and National Assembly elections of February 25.
The UK observed that more polling units opened on time, adding that there was greater evidence of BVAS and IREV working and results uploaded in real time from polling units and collation centres, describing these as positive markers to build on for future elections.
It urged any party or individual who wishes to challenge the process or outcome of the elections to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channels, saying, “We will be observing the course of legal challenges made.”
“The 2023 elections are not only important to Nigeria and Nigerians, but to Africa and the world as a whole. As a long-term partner, the UK is committed to strengthening the ties between our countries and peoples, including by supporting democratic development,” the statement said.
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