Former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called for stronger penalties to curb electoral offences in Nigeria. Speaking at an ADC Dialogue in Abuja, she said the current punishments for offences such as vote buying, result falsification and electoral violence are too lenient to deter violations.
Ezekwesili, an economic policy expert, urged authorities to increase fines and prison terms for offenders, noting that stronger sanctions would help strengthen public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
She also called for the Independent National Electoral Commission to be granted full legal authority over security agencies during elections. According to her, security operatives should take directives from INEC to ensure neutrality and accountability in election management.
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Ezekwesili said giving INEC command over security personnel would reduce political interference and help safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
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