As part of efforts to protect the sanctity of the upcoming election in December 2024, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has given indications that it will deploy operatives throughout the country throughout the period of the 2024 general elections in December.
The operatives, according to the anti-corruption body, would assist the security services to monitor, suppress, and repress the falsification of the electoral results.
The OSP, in its half-year report, noted that it will be vigilant and responsive to any such infractions.
The office also warned that individuals found guilty of these offences would face severe consequences, including a seven-year ban from voting in public elections and ineligibility to hold public office or run for President or Member of Parliament.
“Consequently, all officers charged with the counting of votes at the polling stations, collation centres and transmission of the outcome of the elections are admonished that it is a grave offense to willfully falsify the account of the votes or make a false return of the votes.
“The public is also notified that the law prohibits corruption, intimidation, and personation in respect of the elections. Therefore, no person is permitted to influence the outcome of the elections through corrupt means. Then again, no person is permitted to influence the conduct of a voter in respect of the elections by a threat of an evil consequence to be caused to the voter or to any other person. In addition, it is unlawful to impersonate a voter or an electoral officer.
“… The Office would be alive to its mandate and would promptly address any such occurrence that came to its notice. On this score, the public is further admonished that, by operation of law, a person who is found liable for any of these acts shall be banned from voting at a public election for a period of seven (7) years, and that person cannot hold a public office or be eligible for election as the President or a Member of Parliament,” it stated.
