2023: SERAP urges INEC to disclose parties’ financial transactions
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu to publish reports of the accounts and balance sheets of all political parties submitted by the commission to the National Assembly since 2015.
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The commission also urged Yakubu to disclose details of the guidelines and steps taken by INEC to stop vote-buying in the upcoming election in Ekiti and Osun States and the 2023 general elections.
The call was made in a letter dated May 21, 2022, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
SERAP stated that Nigerians have a right to know about the accounts and financial transactions of the various political parties, especially the major parties with a strong possibility to assume government in the future.
The letter read in part, “When a political candidate decides to buy the support of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such candidate will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.
“Vote buying and related electoral offences encourage poor governance and weaken citizens’ capacity to hold their elected officials accountable for their actions.
“SERAP urges you to urgently take measures and to collaborate with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to ensure the effective prosecution of any outstanding cases of vote-buying and related electoral offences allegedly committed in the context of the 2019 general elections.
The commission noted that it would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the publication or receipt of the letter.
It added that “if we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.
“The failure of political parties to comply with transparency and accountability frameworks would undermine citizens’ trust in their political parties and lack of trust will inevitably destroy confidence in the system and decrease citizens’ interest and participation in the democratic process.
“Elections are only one part of the democratic process, and a fair and effective electoral system must be founded on adequate democratic infrastructure and responsibility of political leaders.
SERAP said despite several provisions of the Electoral Act (as amended), anti-corruption laws, and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations, suspected perpetrators of vote-buying and related electoral offences frequently escape justice for their crimes.
The commission stated that “Section 86(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires every political party to submit to INEC a detailed annual statement of assets and liabilities and analysis of its sources of funds and other assets and statement of its expenditure. Failure to comply is an offence under Section 86(2), which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of six months or a fine of N1,000,000 or both.
“Under Section 86(3)(4) INEC has the power to examine the records and audited accounts kept by any political party, and to publish the report on such examinations and audit in two national newspapers and Commission’s website within 30 days of receipt of the results.
“Section 226 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022 also requires INEC to prepare and submit a report every year to the National Assembly on the accounts and balance sheet of every political party. Under Section 225(5), INEC has the power to give directions to political parties regarding their books or records of financial transactions.
The commission however noted that the Nigerian Constitution and international standards guarantee and protect the right of all qualified citizens to vote, in the state as well as in general elections.
“The right to vote freely for the political party and candidate of one’s choice is of the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government.
“The effective exercise of the right of qualified Nigerians to have a voice in the election of those who make and enforce the laws under which, as good citizens, they live can contribute to the enjoyment of other human rights, including corruption-free public services, freedom of expression and digital and data rights.”
“Public confidence in voting systems serves as an indispensable feature of full and healthy democracy.
“Persistent failure to arrest and prosecute suspected perpetrators of vote-buying and related electoral offences may ultimately undermine public confidence, the integrity of the country’s elections, and lead to widespread disaffection with the electoral process,” the letter read.
MTO/Punch
