Preventing Post-election Violence

Nigeria’s democracy faces another crucial test. Few hours to the presidential election today, the political atmosphere in the country is tensed. The election will be different from previous polls in several ways as it contends with new challenges. Amid widespread insecurity, there has been an uptick in election violence, which could escalate further during and after the polls.

Political parties have wound down campaigns in line with the 2022 Electoral Act, but there’s apprehension everywhere going by how the candidates in the election had conducted themselves during the electioneering campaign.

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Intense acrimony, especially among the major parties, has raised tensions across the country. The ethnic, religious and regional identities of the candidates, and bombast from the front runners, have polarised the electorate.

We have witnessed how most of the candidates veered off track to attack personalities rather than addressing governance issues – the real issues. According to report, there have been about 60 attacks during the electioneering campaign. These attacks contributed greatly to building up the current tension in the polity ahead of the polls.

The recent violent attacks targeting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices and facilities have also raised concerns about the security of the 2023 general elections. Nearly 50 INEC offices have already been destroyed.

Aside this, Nigeria is undergoing a challenging time with insecurity, which has spread across the country and with the current economic challenges, and now with the implementation of the new naira policy, not many know what next to expect.

This is why we feel it is important that the federal government and all relevant authorities put adequate measures in place to prevent electoral violence before, during and, especially, after the elections.

Nigerians and, in particular, key actors in the election should avoid inciting statements that could trigger violence, voter suppression or intimidation and thereby mar the electoral process.

Authorities must increase efforts to establish security in the rural areas. It is essential for policymakers in Nigeria, and the country’s international partners, to understand these threats and move to mitigate them to ensure a peaceful transition of power and support any incoming administration.

It is also important for candidates, the political parties, and individual Nigerians to take responsibility for a successful election. So that in the intense days before and during the elections there are no acts of voter intimidation through violence or voter suppression through violence.

The Armed Forces have repeatedly said they have the country’s security situation under control though experts have questioned their ability to restore peace in many troubled communities.

All actors in the electoral processes need to work together to ensure that the elections are peaceful. This will require effort from state and non-state actors, as well as external partners. In this regard, we commend the efforts of the National Peace Committee in organising the second signing of peace accord by the candidates.

The federal government has the biggest responsibility in preventing post-election violence or any other form of violence for that matter. The government must pay attention to causes and forms of violence wherever they manifest. There is no “one size fits all” solution, and responses will require a combination of political and policing measures.

It is pertinent to emphasize that INEC is a critical actor in mitigating electoral violence. The regulation of party activities and conduct of elections should be consistent with the Electoral Act and election guideline. The neutrality of INEC will strengthen public confidence in the institution and the electoral process.

Election security should be demilitarised. While policing can feature the armed forces in supporting roles, it is important to balance their role during elections with rule of law and respect for human rights. Suspects should be arrested, prosecuted and served justice (devoid of political influence) after a fair hearing.

Political parties, civil society groups and media also play important roles in influencing public opinion and mobilising people. Political parties should check and, when necessary, condemn and sanction their members and followers engaged in electoral violence. Civil society groups should demand greater accountability and transparency of the election process.

We, as a newspaper, insist that the Nigerian government, political parties and civil society groups need to take steps to improve election security, defuse tensions and mitigate the risks of violence.