ELECTION OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

Election is a process in which people vote to choose a person or group of people to hold an official position.

Election offence is a crime that breaks electoral laws and requires a particular punishment.

Penalty is a punishment that is given to someone for doing something which is against a law or rule.

Eǀery registrant ǁith a ǀalid ǀoter’s card is eligible to vote.

However, there are rules guiding the electoral process and anyone who violates these rules is liable on conviction to be penalized as indicated below:

S/N	ELECTION OFFENCES	PENALITIES
1.	A person who is in possession of more than one valid voter’s card.	He is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of 100,000 or 12 months imprisonment or both.
2.	A person who applies for ballot paper in the name of some other person whether living or dead i.e. impersonation.	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 500,000.00 or 12 months imprisonment or both.
3.	A person who votes more than once in an election.	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 500,000.00 or 12 months imprisonment or both.

4.	A person who forges any  ballot paper or official mark on any ballot paper or any certificate of return or result form.	He is liable on conviction to 2 years imprisonment.
5.	A person who willfully places in any ballot box any unauthorized paper or result	He is liable on conviction to 2 years imprisonment.
6.	A person who gives voters money to vote for or refrain from voting for a candidate.	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 100,000.00 0r 12 months imprisonment or both.
7.	A person who within the vicinity of polling unit or collation centre on election day: *convenes public meeting. * makes unauthorized official announcements; *wears or carry any badge, poster, banner, flag or symbol relating to a political party or election.	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 100,000.00 or 6 months imprisonment for every such offence.
8.	A person who acts or incites others to act in a disorderly manner on election day.	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 500,000.00 or 12 months imprisonment or both.
9.	A person who communicates at any time to other person, information obtained in a polling unit as to the candidate to whom a voter is about to vote or has voted for i.e. violation of	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 100,000.00 or 6 months imprisonment or both.

	the secrecy of vote.
10.	A person who knowingly votes or attempts to vote in a constituency in which he did not register.	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 100,000.00 or 6 months imprisonment or both.
11.	A person who snatches or destroys election materials.	He is liable on conviction to 24 months imprisonment.
12.	A. person who commits an offence of bribery or aids, conspires or abets any other person to commit bribery.	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 500,000.00 or 12 months imprisonment or both.
13.	A person who on election day does any of the following acts: *canvasses for votes *solicits for the vote of any other voter. *persuades any voter not to vote for any particular candidate. *shouts slogans concerning the election. *be in possession of any offensive weapon or wears any dress or facial decoration to	He is liable on conviction to a fine of 100,000.00 or 6 months imprisonment for every such offence.

intimidate other voters. *exhibits, wears or tenders any notice, symbol, photography or party card referring to the election. *use of any vehicle bearing the color or symbol of a particular party. *Loiter without lawful excuse after voting or being refused to vote. *use of sirens.