As Nigeria’s 2023 elections approach, political rallies and campaign trails have been marred by physical violence and verbal attacks.
Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has witnessed various attacks on its facilities in various parts of the nation.
To this end, Yiaga Africa has called for more active engagement and deployment of security around INEC facilities, to prevent vandalism and destruction ahead of the major deployment of election materials and personnel.
Yiaga Africa, in its recent report, Road to 2023: Disruptions, Distortions, and Discordance, noted that the recent ‘coordinated and premeditated’ attacks on INEC’s facilities portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy.
It said the attacks could impede the commission’s preparations for the general election and diminish citizens’ confidence in the electoral process.
‘One factor that lowers the participation of citizens in the electoral process is the association of the process with violence in the pre-election period’, the report read.
While noting incidences of pre-election violence, the report highlighted other areas like violence against women in the pre-election period and attacks on party supporters.
The findings from the report further revealed an increase in the activities of armed bandits, terrorists, herdsmen, or secessionist groups in different local government areas.
Yiaga Africa also observed the increase in the use of hate speech, which it described as a concerning behaviour in the pre-election period.
The civil society organisation (CSO) further urged security operatives to desist from intimidating opposition parties and candidates in the course of their campaigns.
The report read, ‘The credibility of the election will be determined by several factors which include the peaceful conduct of the election.
‘Political parties should shun the use of inflammatory language, hate speech and any form of verbal attacks in the electoral process.
‘Political parties should conduct their campaigns within the ambit of the law and ensure candidates and party supporters act responsibly and peacefully to reduce the threat of electoral violence’.
Candidates and political party leaders have also been urged to ensure compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines on political campaigns to promote a positive political culture that supports a credible process.
Nigeria’s 2023 general election begins on 25 February with presidential and National Assembly polls while governorship and state assembly elections will be held on 11 March.
Photo source: GPA Photo Archive
