Bukola Saraki, former senate president, has asked the United
Kingdom and the European Union to take a cue from the United States and also
ban election riggers in Nigeria.
Saraki made the call on Tuesday while speaking at an event
organised by the Centre for Advancement of Civil Liberties to mark this year’s
International Day of Democracy.
On Monday, the US placed visa restrictions on individuals
who undermined the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, about a
year after it took similar measures against those who compromised the 2019
elections.
Saraki said such restrictions are necessary steps to caution
the enemies of democracy, and that they should be extended to electoral and
security officials.
“The US decision to place visa restrictions on certain
Nigerian politicians for their ignoble roles in the 2019 elections is
commendable,” he said.
“I call on the UK and the European Union to follow suit.
This is necessary to send the right and strong signal that those who undermine
democracy in Nigeria are enemies of the rest of the democratic world.
“The sanctions should go beyond politicians and include
electoral officers, security officials and judicial officers who undermine our
democracy by their actions during and after elections.”
Saraki said rigging an election is not only evident at the
polls but extends to other areas such as the registration of voters, emergence
of candidates, operations of political parties, preparations by the electoral
commission, independence of the electoral commission and neutrality of the
security agencies.
He also called for a speedy passage of the electoral act to
improve the credibility of the elections as well as an end to the “illegal
interference in the electoral process by security agencies”.
“May be there should be a law that prevents the deployment
of the military for election assignments. We should ensure strict compliance
with the law on this and even go further to enshrine this in our constitution,”
he said.
“It is also important we come in strong in the enforcement
of the provisions of the law which provides for punishment of politicians, law
enforcement agents, ordinary citizens and electoral officers who are caught
subverting the electoral process.”
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