The Sanction Regime in the 2010 Electoral Act and Recurring Infractions in the Electoral Process in Nigeria

Abstract

The article relies on the theory of post-colonial states and argues that the nominal penalties prescribed for electoral offences in the 2010 Electoral Act largely accounts for the recurring infractions in the electoral process in Nigeria. This view was premised on the lack of deterrence purposes by those penalties, as politicians prefer serving out the penalties in as much as indulgence in electoral fraud guarantees electoral victory. The documentary method and content analysis were employed for data collection and analysis, respectively. The findings indicate that those penalties were incommensurate with the gravity of the electoral offences and the benefits of holding public offices acquired through indulgence in fraud. The article recommends drastic cut in the benefits accruable to public offices as disincentive for political desperadoes, who perceive such positions as lucrative ventures that must be ascended at all cost, given that such mind set predisposes them to engage in electoral fraud.