We Don’t Prosecute Electoral Offenders – INEC

As inciting rhetoric and violence trail the 2027 election campaigns, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it does not arrest or prosecute electoral offenders, adding that it is the responsibility of the relevant law enforcement agencies.

It also said that no one has so far been arrested in connection with the Osun State governorship election with evidence establishing an electoral offence.

INEC Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, disclosed this while responding to an inquiry by LEADERSHIP on the status of electoral offences arising from the election.

Ifogah said, “As of now, nobody was arrested with any evidence in the Osun election.”

He explained that INEC does not prosecute electoral offenders, stressing that such responsibility rests with the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

He said, “The prosecution of electoral offenders is still the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies.”

His comments come amid public concerns over alleged electoral offences and calls for the arrest and prosecution of persons found culpable during the election.

The clarification also highlights the distinction between INEC’s responsibility for the conduct of elections and the role of law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting alleged electoral offences.

INEC has previously maintained that while the Commission can monitor and document electoral offences, the police and other relevant law enforcement agencies are responsible for investigation, arrest and prosecution.

The development is expected to keep attention on the response of security and law enforcement agencies to allegations of electoral offences arising from the Osun governorship election.

Attempts to get the police reaction yesterday proved abortive as calls and messages sent to its spokesman were not responded to.

However, according to the 2026 INEC Election Guidelines: Conduct Not Permissible During Political Rallies:

32. (1) No person attending a political rally or procession shall be in possession of any offensive weapon, except a police officer or a member of a security agency authorized to carry arms and specifically posted to be present at that political rally or procession.

(2) No political rally or procession shall be conducted in places designated as religious centres, police stations, and public offices.

(3) Political rallies or processions shall not involve the use of abusive language or any form of hate speech.

(4) Political rallies or processions shall not involve the use of physical force or coercion by organised groups or individuals.

(5) Any political party in violation of (1) – (4) shall be liable to prosecution in accordance with Section 96 of the Act.