The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has called on the House of Representatives to pass the Electoral Offenses Commission bill to enable the country deal with cases of electoral violence.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, who made the call in Abuja, said that if the bill was passed by the House of Representatives and subsequently signed into law by the President, it will empower the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to concentrate on organizing credible polls.
He noted that responsibility of prosecuting electoral offenders will rest on the proposed National Electoral Offences Commission.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC observed that although Section 145 of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers INEC to prosecute electoral offenders in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the commission does not have the capacity to investigate, arrest and prosecute electoral offenders.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria observed that INEC does not have power to prosecute electoral offences and other forms of misconduct before, during and after elections in the country.
Chief Ojukwu expressed optimism that Mobilizing Voters for Election, MOVE project by the commission will improve citizens participation in elections.