Consequences of election offences 

Judging from the violence linked to various political rallies and campaigns in some parts of the country, it was obvious that some groups of people have been planning to cause security breech and mayhem in the forthcoming elections.

To be fore warned is to be fore harmed especially to youths singing songs of crises during the election, they should think more than twice as according to the law of the land, there is a penalty for malpractices.

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People should be aware that political malpractices including ballot snatching, stuffing of boxes with ballot papers and political violence during elections which are all serious offences that attract severe punishments.

The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that an unlawful possession, selling or buying of voter card will attract a fine of N500, 000. 00 or an imprisonment for two years, impersonation attracts a fine or being prosecuted while bribery of INEC officials or security officers to rig election goes with a fine of N500,000.00 or imprisonment for 12 months or both.

Spying to know whom a voter votes for attracts a fine of N100,000.00 or imprisonment for six months, voting or trying to vote where one does not register comes with a fine of N100,000.00 or imprisonment for six months while acting or inciting others to act in a disorderly manner attracts a punishment of a fine of N500,000.00 or imprisonment for 12 months.

It is essential to admonish all and sundry especially the youth to avoid election offences. The ad-hoc staff including corps members involved in the on-going election processes are not expected to align with any political party or succumb to any negative pressure that would result to electoral malpractices rather they should carry out their legitimate duties strictly with the rules guiding the electoral procedures.

Also, the electoral umpire, INEC should rebuild the confidence reposed on them by the general public  to conduct free, fair  and credible election that will be void of electoral malpractices and impartiality.

Fasasi Ismail,

Ibadan.