SERAP Demands Arrest Of Politicians Buying PVCs From Voters

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Presi­dent Muhammadu Buhari to urgently direct the Attor­ney-General of the Federa­tion and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), and appropriate anti-corrup­tion agencies to identify and arrest politicians who are allegedly buying permanent voter cards (PVCs) from poor Nigerians, and promptly bring them to justice.

SERAP is also urging him to ensure that the politicians and their sponsors who are suspected to be involved in this grave electoral and human rights crime are named and shamed, regardless of their political affil­iations.

Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alleged that some politi­cians are buying PVCs from poor Nigerians across the country.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has corroborated the allegations, reportedly stating that some politicians are buying PVCs with N2,000 in the North.

In the letter dated December 17, 2022, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Olu­wadare, the organisation said: “Buying of PVCs from poor Nige­rians is a threat to fair and repre­sentative elections, as it amounts to vote buying, undue influence and improper electoral influence.

“The allegations that poli­ticians and their sponsors are buying PVCs from poor Nigeri­ans are grave violations of the Nigerian constitution 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, and the country’s internation­al anti-corruption and human rights obligations.

“The right to vote is central to the enjoyment of other basic human rights but the right will have little meaning if politicians and their sponsors continue to buy PVCs and get away with their crime against the Nigeri­an people.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal ac­tions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“No body politic worthy of be­ing called a democracy entrusts the selection of leaders to a pro­cess of auction or barter. Induc­ing poor Nigerians to sell their PVCs intrudes on their freedom to make up their own minds.

“The buying of PVCs from poor Nigerians and the result­ing deprivation of the right to participation would completely compromise the legitimacy of representative government.

“Investigating, identifying, naming and shaming those suspected to be involved in these criminal acts of vote-buying and undue influence, and bringing them to justice would promote the people’s right to vote, and public trust and confidence in the electoral process.

“The Nigerian constitution provides in section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.’ Sections 121 and 127 of the Elec­toral Act prohibit electoral brib­ery and undue influence before, during and after any election.

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“Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and theAfricanCharteronDemocracy, Elections and Governance guar­antee the right to political partici­pation, including the right to vote.

“These human rights trea­ties also require states parties including Nigeria to promote the establishment of the neces­sary conditions to foster citizen participation.

“Buying of PVCs is a varia­tion of vote buying and undue influence. It would undermine the ability of INEC to effective­ly discharge its responsibilities under section 153 of the Nigeri­an constitution and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.

“It would lead to disparate and discriminatory treatment of poor Nigerians, encourage poor governance, and weaken citizens’ capacity to hold their ‘elected officials’ accountable for their actions.

“When politicians and their sponsors decide to buy the sup­port of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such politicians will show a disregard for democratic rules and a dis­position to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.

“Acting swiftly to address the brazen impunity and allegations of politicians purchasing PVCs from poor Nigerians would also send a strong message to poli­ticians that your government would not tolerate any infringe­ment of the electoral process ahead of the 2023 general elec­tions.”