February 20, 2023

Nigeria’s election integrity and democracy are in danger

topic:	Election
located:	Nigeria
editor:	Bob Koigi

Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, goes to the polls this week for the presidential and national assembly election. But even as the 93 million voters prepare to exercise their democratic right to elect leaders of their choice, there have been grave concerns over thinning democratic spaces as the security and human rights situation worsens.

The election campaign period has been marred by heightened violence targeting political leaders, activists, women leaders, journalists and ordinary citizens. Numerous cases of violence have been documented ranging from abductions, beheadings, destruction of property, rape and murder among other crimes. 

Yet this is not the first time these incidents are being reported. In previous election periods, Nigeria has similarly sunk into the abyss of violence and bloodbath. The government's failure to hold the perpetrators of violence to account and implement stringent measures to ensure a smooth and peaceful pre-election period is to blame for the situation the West African country finds itself in today. 

There has been a deliberate campaign by various political quarters to instill fear among voters through all forms of violence in order to disenfranchise them and ensure that they do not appear at the polls, therefore denying them their inalienable and democratic right to have the leaders they want. The violence that has reached epidemic proportions could have far reaching human rights implications before, during and after the elections. 

The situation has been exacerbated by security threats emanating from other factions such as secessionist groups, militant groups like Boko Haram and the constant clashes between farmers and herders.

This gross violation of such fundamental human rights should not be condoned. Nigeria is a signatory of international human rights laws and is guided by the supreme law of the land that spells out and protects fundamental rights of citizens, including the rights to vote, to access information and of freedom of expression and association.

The Code of conduct on how security personnel should behave during the polls, a pivotal election instrument, spells out the responsibility of security officials to ensure citizens are protected and are provided a conducive environment to exercise their democratic right. 

To uphold the principle of universal suffrage, Nigerian authorities must have in place systems and processes that guarantee the safety of the voter, ensure elections are transparent, addresses complaints, protect key election officials including observers, civil society and media, uphold the highest level of human rights, while allowing every Nigerian to own the elections in order to promote credibility of the entire process. 

Image by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu

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