Why Election Offences Prosecutions Are Slow – INEC Chairman

• INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu stated that electoral offense prosecutions are slow due to the lack of statutory deadlines and prioritization in courts
• Yakubu is urging judicial and legislative reforms, including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal, to ensure quicker prosecutions

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed why Nigeria’s prosecution of electoral offences remains slow.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, addressed the issue on Friday in Abuja during the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with the media.

It was reported that judicial trials and convictions have resulted from electoral malpractices in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, leading to the prosecution of some electoral officials.

Yakubu identified a major challenge slowing down the resolution of such cases. Unlike post-election disputes handled by tribunals within a set timeframe, electoral offences lack statutory deadlines and are not given priority in the judicial system.

“As a result, cases often drag on for years, sometimes carrying over from one election cycle to another. Judicial and legislative actions in recent days underscore our commitment to addressing offences involving commission officials assigned to electoral duties.

However, these efforts also highlight the challenges we face in prosecuting electoral offences,” Yakubu stated.

He cited the recent successful prosecution of a returning officer in Akwa Ibom State as an example.

“The commission diligently pursued this case, which stemmed from the 2019 general elections, and it took nearly six years to secure a conviction at the trial court,” he said.

Yakubu emphasized the need for judicial and legislative reforms to ensure quicker prosecution of electoral offences and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.