SERAP demands joint probe into vote buying, violence

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project. Photo: SERAP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to jointly investigate alleged vote buying, inducement, violence and other electoral offences recorded during the election.

SERAP made the demand in a petition dated August 15, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to the chairmen of INEC, EFCC and ICPC.

According to preliminary reports by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, civil society observers recorded 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of noon on election day.

The reported infractions included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases of inducement of polling and security officials, 31 cases of voter obstruction, 38 cases of campaigning at polling units, 14 cases of voter impersonation, 12 cases of multiple voting, seven cases of election-official misconduct and 85 cases involving exposure of ballot papers.

The observers also recorded 38 security incidents, including alleged thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation.

SERAP urged the agencies to invite regional and international bodies, including the African Union, Economic Community of West African States, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms, to provide independent scrutiny of the election.

SERAP said the agencies should trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly used for vote buying and other unlawful electoral activities and identify individuals or organisations that provided, authorised, distributed or facilitated the funds.

It also called for the preservation and examination of banking and mobile-money records, telecommunications data, CCTV footage, polling-unit records and other documentary and digital evidence.

“The legitimacy and credibility of the Osun State election result ultimately depend upon whether voters were genuinely able to freely exercise their right to participation and political choice,” SERAP said.

The organisation added, “Where voters are allegedly induced with money or other benefits, threatened with violence, intimidated, obstructed or otherwise coerced, serious questions arise as to whether the Osun election reflected the free and genuine will of the electorate.”

• Yiaga validates INEC results, raises vote-buying concerns
• Osun poll: 295 suspects arrested – Police
• Atiku, Obi, others congratulate Adeleke, laud Osun voters

SERAP said a joint investigation by the three agencies would ensure coordinated examination of the “electoral, financial and criminal dimensions” of the reported offences.

It also urged the agencies to investigate, arrest and, where appropriate, prosecute persons reasonably suspected of electoral or other criminal offences, including those who financed or facilitated the alleged conduct.

SERAP said the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room also reported cases of alleged vote buying and other inducements, including the distribution of jollof rice and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area.

The organisation said the Situation Room also reported the harassment of an election observer and alleged disruption by thugs.

SERAP said the allegations raised concerns under the Electoral Act 2026 and the 1999 Constitution, as well as Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights treaties.

It cited Sections 125, 131 and 132 of the Electoral Act, which it said criminalise bribery, undue influence and the use or threat of violence to influence voting.

The organisation also urged the agencies to examine compliance with Sections 91 to 94 of the Electoral Act concerning campaign contributions, expenditure and sources of funds.

“Section 138(1) permits an election to be questioned where it was invalid by reason of ‘corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of this Act’, while section 139 addresses non-compliance that may substantially affect an election result,” SERAP said.

It urged INEC, EFCC and ICPC to publish the findings of their investigations and take lawful measures where credible evidence showed that corruption, inducement, coercion or violence materially affected voters or the election outcome.

“The three agencies should make their findings public and ensure that relevant evidence is available, where lawful and appropriate, to competent electoral tribunals and other accountability mechanisms,” the organisation said.