The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has decried the Nigerian police’s inaction which fuelled impunity during the 2023 general elections.
The EU report said it was sad that in some cases, the “police detained the journalist who documented irregularities, but not the attacker.”
The EU EOM stated this in its final report on the 2023 general election, which was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday.
According to the report, media workers were left vulnerable and prone to attacks while the security agencies watch or even collaborate with attackers, a development they said was despicable.
The report stated, “Law enforcement agencies failed to prosecute persons who attacked, intimidated, harassed, or obstructed journalists prior to, on and after both election days.
“The EU EOM observers confirmed multiple incidents involving media. Several attacks occurred in plain sight of the police and in some cases the police detained the journalist who documented irregularities, but not the attacker. It clearly evidences the absence of actual practices for protection of media practitioners.”
The report noted that impunity encouraged by police inaction was detrimental to freedom of expression, more so when independent and trusted outlets were targeted.
The EU Observation Mission, however, recommended for adequate protection of freedom of expression by developing a comprehensive operational frame work underpinned by the skills and means for ensuring prompt investigation and prosecution of all types of attacks against media practitioners.
The group also observed the electoral body lacked the institutional capacity for enforcement enforce and maintain election campaigns, adding that that account for the high level impunity with which governors restricted oppositions political parties from campaigning in their states.
Citing the Electoral Act 2022 (section 92(2)) which prohibits “the use of state apparatus to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.” The group stated despite clear provision of the law, “nevertheless, there was an unequal access to public venues and various forms of outdoor advertising, due to governors restricting campaign opportunities of opponents”.
It added, “EU EOM observers also noted that some governors imposed campaign rules, which were more restrictive than INEC regulations and undertook executive actions imposing pressure on civil servants and stakeholders. Incumbents excessively used state resources for campaign purposes.”
It however, observed that the electoral body revised various campaign guidelines, including for parties and candidates, when it lacked the institutional capacity for enforcement.
The report, therefore, recommended for the establishment of a robust and effective monitoring and sanctioning mechanism by the electoral body “to curtail abuse of incumbency, including obstructions and interference by state-level authorities”.
On the election financing, the report noted that lack accountability for parties, candidate, and third parties is the absence of a requirements for traceability of funds to source.
EU EOM report recommended for promotion of transparency and accountability in campaign finances by introducing a mandatory requirement on political parties, candidates and third parties to operate pre notified dedicated bank accounts for donations, revenues, and spending, subject to clear rules of accounting, reporting, and public disclosure before, during, and after campaigns with robust sanctions for non-compliance.
It noted that with that issue of vote-buying would be reduced.