Editor’s note: This is the second post in a series informing
the public on Electoral offences, you can find the first post here – Punishment
for buying and selling voter’s cards.
the public on Electoral offences, you can find the first post here – Punishment
for buying and selling voter’s cards.
The recent Presidential primaries of the APC and PDP caused
some excitement over the last couple of days. Elections are coming closer by
the day and political parties are ensuring they present their best candidate
before the electorate in 2015. Many Nigerians are also gearing up for the elections
as most conversations now centre on the coming elections or the roles being
played by any of the many protagonists and antagonists in the political movies playing in Nigeria now. As we all
get closer to 2015, its quite important that we all protect out votes and
ensure that we report any electoral criminality that we may observe or suspect.
some excitement over the last couple of days. Elections are coming closer by
the day and political parties are ensuring they present their best candidate
before the electorate in 2015. Many Nigerians are also gearing up for the elections
as most conversations now centre on the coming elections or the roles being
played by any of the many protagonists and antagonists in the political movies playing in Nigeria now. As we all
get closer to 2015, its quite important that we all protect out votes and
ensure that we report any electoral criminality that we may observe or suspect.
An example of such criminality is the improper use of Voter’s
cards as provided for in Section 120 of the Electoral Act 2010 which provides that – Any person who –
cards as provided for in Section 120 of the Electoral Act 2010 which provides that – Any person who –
- being entitled to a Voter’s card, gives it to some other
person for use at an election other than an officer and acting in the course of
his duty under the act; - not being an officer acting in the course of his duty under
the Act, receives any voters card in the name of some other person or persons
for use at an election uses it fraudulently; - without lawful excuse has in his possession more than one Voter’s
card; or - buys, sells, procures or deals, with a voters card otherwise
than as provided in the Act: commits an offence and is liable on conviction to
a maximum fine of N1,000,000 (One million naira) ir imprisonment for 12 months
or both.
From the abovce provisons of the law, it is obvious anyone
caught commiting such criminality will have some explaining to do and possibly
some jail term to serve or fine to pay, thus it’s important no one participates
in such acts. Please share this article with as many people as you can to
discourage electoral offences.
caught commiting such criminality will have some explaining to do and possibly
some jail term to serve or fine to pay, thus it’s important no one participates
in such acts. Please share this article with as many people as you can to
discourage electoral offences.
Adedunmade Onibokun, Esq
@adedunmade