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| Credits – google |
General elections are fast
approaching and political parties are concluding their primaries to elect those
who would be their flag bearers in the coming 2015 National elections. As we
enter into the last lap of selecting our government representatives, it is
important that we do not sell our votes, rather it is imperative that we choose
the best man or woman for the job. Also of utmost importance is that we all
observe proper discipline in election matters. This post is a first in a series
informing you about electoral offences as provided for in the Electoral Act
(2010), particularly the offences of buying or selling of voter’s cards.
approaching and political parties are concluding their primaries to elect those
who would be their flag bearers in the coming 2015 National elections. As we
enter into the last lap of selecting our government representatives, it is
important that we do not sell our votes, rather it is imperative that we choose
the best man or woman for the job. Also of utmost importance is that we all
observe proper discipline in election matters. This post is a first in a series
informing you about electoral offences as provided for in the Electoral Act
(2010), particularly the offences of buying or selling of voter’s cards.
Section 23 of the Electoral act
provides that; Any person who –
provides that; Any person who –
- Is in unlawful possession
of any voters’ card whether issued in the name of any voter or not;
- Sells or attempts to sell
or offers to sell any voter’s card whether issued in the name of any voter or
not; or
- Buys or offers to buy any
voters’ card whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person,
commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding
N500,000.00 or imprisonment not exceeding two years or both.
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| Credits – google |
By virtue of the above provisions,
anyone caught with the illegal possession of voters’ cards will be prosecuted
and if found guilty may end up behind bars or having to pay a hefty fine. Manipulating
the voter registration process is also an offence.
anyone caught with the illegal possession of voters’ cards will be prosecuted
and if found guilty may end up behind bars or having to pay a hefty fine. Manipulating
the voter registration process is also an offence.
Section 24 further provides that;
Any person who –
- Knowingly makes a false
declaration in his voters’ registration form. - Fails to provide
information in their possession after demand under the act; - Signs a voter’s
registration form in the name of another person; - Makes multiple
registration; or - Procures a fictitious
registration
Commits an offence and is liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one
year or both. Obviously there is jail time involved for anyone found guilty for
any of the acts mentioned above. Persons who also by duress or threats hinder
others from registering as a voter is liable on conviction, to a fine not
exceeding N500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one
year or both. Obviously there is jail time involved for anyone found guilty for
any of the acts mentioned above. Persons who also by duress or threats hinder
others from registering as a voter is liable on conviction, to a fine not
exceeding N500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
Kindly share this post with others to
ensure that many people are deterred from carrying out any of the above
offences and if you discover anyone doing same, please report immediately to
the nearest police station.
ensure that many people are deterred from carrying out any of the above
offences and if you discover anyone doing same, please report immediately to
the nearest police station.
Adedunmade Onibokun, Esq
@adedunmade/ twitter