Rights Groups Want INEC To Account For Money Allocated To It  For 2023 Poll

An advocacy group, Human Rights Advancement, Development and Advocacy Centre (HURIDAC) in collaboration with other rights group has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to account for the money allocated to it during the last general elections, stressing that the task has become necessary to retain the confidence of the people in the commission.

The group also appealed to politicians to always engage themselves in the rancour  free electoral process, just as it   urged security agencies and the International Community to take proactive measures to address hate speech capable of inciting violence and disrupting social harmony amongst the citizens.

HURIDAC made the call at a press briefing held in Ojodu,Lagos in  collaboration with  another rights group, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

According to the Executive Directors of the two bodies, Mr. Ayodele Ameen of HURIDAC and Mallam Auwal Rafsanjani of CISLAC, the  appeal was part of the 10-point communiqué  released  by the two groups after their deliberation on how to improve conduct of election in Nigeria and signed by their executive directors.

They said there were human rights violations and abuses during the conduct of elections in Nigeria, arguing that the 2023 poll exercise, even though witnessed the lowest turnout of voters, but notwithstanding recorded the highest level of violence and killings, mainly by state actors.

The group therefore demanded for electoral justice, which it stated  should extend beyond the fairness and freedom of election, “accountability, compensation, and remedies should be provided for all victims and survivors of crimes committed during the electoral process.

“Perpetrators of crimes and electoral infractions should be arrested, prosecuted, and punished to prevent impunity,”

Other recommendations, according to the groups include the need for establishment of collaboration between Anti-corruption agencies and financial institutions “to monitor cash flow during election period,”   alleging that malpractices reported by any party should be thoroughly investigated and recommendations should be provided to prevent similar reoccurrence in the future.

“The Electoral Act should be periodically reviewed to incorporate additional rules, including increasing the maximum campaign spending time limit to reflect the reality of Nigerian money politics and inflammatory trends. Strict punishments should be enforced for bribery, corruption, and above campaign spending limits to deter future violation.

“The courts and judicial officers should be strengthened to deliver on their mandate more efficiently.’’