The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) has called for stronger legal action against vote-buying, electoral violence and manipulation of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The president of AWLA, Mandy Demechi-Asagba, made the call in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

According to her, the vices remain serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy and must be tackled through effective enforcement of electoral laws.

She said the recently concluded Osun governorship election showed the resilience of voters but also exposed the dangers of voter inducement and violence before and during elections.

According to her, the developments in Osun should serve as a warning to stakeholders and should not become a pattern for future elections.

“The greatest limitation to our democracy is the criminalisation of the ballot,” she said.

Ma Asagba, who is also the founder of Legal Pool for Justice and Equity Initiative, said the Electoral Act 2022 provided penalties for electoral offences, including vote-buying, violence and manipulation of results.

She urged the police, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  to ensure that electoral offenders were arrested and prosecuted promptly.

She also called for the use of election petitions and other legal measures to challenge results where there was credible evidence of electoral malpractice.

On electoral violence, Ms Asagba urged security agencies to identify and prosecute sponsors of violence, while calling for better protection of voters, particularly women, during elections.

“Women bear the brunt of electoral violence,electoral violence is therefore also a gender justice issue,” she said.

The legal practitioner also called for the establishment of Election Offences Task Forces in the 36 states and the passage of the Electoral Offences Commission Bill before the first quarter of 2027.

She urged stakeholders to enforce campaign finance provisions and strengthen protection for women voters and electoral officials.

Ms Asagba further advocated strategic litigation through pre-election cases and evidence-based election petitions, especially where data from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal could help establish irregularities.

She said the 2027 elections could witness more sophisticated forms of vote-buying, digital manipulation and targeted violence, but expressed optimism that a more vigilant electorate and stronger enforcement of the law could improve the electoral process.

Ma Asagba urged Nigerians not to exchange their votes for money or food items, stressing that the consequences of such decisions could affect generations.

“The ballot is not a market. The vote is not for sale. Your vote is your voice. Don’t trade it for rice and regret it for four years,” she said.

She also appealed to Nigerians at the grassroots to protect their votes, saying:

“Today rice, tomorrow tears. Vote to make

Nigeria better.”

Ms Asagba urged Nigerians to see their votes as a tool for determining the future of the country.

“Democracy is not a marketplace, and citizenship is not a commodity. Your vote is the instrument of change and the shield of the next generation,” she said.

She urged voters to resist inducement and participate actively in protecting the integrity of the 2027 elections.

“Not for sale! Not for trade! My vote, my power!” she declared.

(NAN)