Election or “Selection”?: Human Rights Abuse and Threats to Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria

Election or “Selection”?*

Human Rights Abuse and Threats to Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria

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Summary

Recommendations

Background and Introduction

Political Violence

The Scale of Political Violence

Intra-Party Violence

Emerging Patterns of Violence Related to the General Election Campaigns

Root Causes Left Unaddressed: Sponsorship and Impunity

The Role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

The Lessons of 2003

The Independence of INEC

Poor Capacity

Registration Problems

The Credibility of the Voters Register

Inadequate Display of Voters Register

Verification of the Register

Abuse of State Power

Police Failings and Abuses

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) “Indictments” and Judicial Harassment

The Response of Nigeria’s International and Regional Partners

* In Nigeria, the term ‘selection’ is commonly used to refer to the process in which political office is secured by means of corrupt and abusive practices rather than through free and fair elections.

April 2007 Number 1