The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take urgent steps to address rising political violence ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
SERAP called on the electoral commission to identify, document and publicly report incidents of political violence, while referring credible allegations to the police and other relevant security agencies for impartial investigation and prosecution.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation urged INEC to promptly refer allegations of electoral violence and related offences to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for thorough, independent, transparent and effective investigation.
It also called for victims of political violence and their families to have access to justice and effective remedies.
According to SERAP, 56 politically related violent incidents resulting in 14 deaths have been reported in Osun State over the past 12 months, with 36 incidents recorded between May and June alone.
The organisation said the reported incidents included shootings, killings, physical attacks, intimidation, destruction of property and harassment, describing the pattern as a serious threat to the safety and credibility of the electoral process.
SERAP also urged INEC to document and preserve credible evidence of serious, widespread or systematic political violence in the state, particularly where such conduct could potentially fall within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
It said evidence of conduct that may amount to international crimes should be brought to the attention of relevant national and international accountability mechanisms, including the ICC Prosecutor.
The organisation noted that INEC had recognised political violence in Osun as a serious electoral security concern and urged the commission to strengthen its threat assessment, monitoring and coordination with law enforcement and security agencies ahead of the poll.
SERAP also cited Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits threats of force or violence during political campaigns, as well as constitutional provisions protecting citizens’ participation in government, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and equality before the law.
The organisation stressed that the election should not be conducted in an atmosphere of fear, saying voters must be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidates without intimidation or coercion.
It further called on INEC and security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters, candidates, journalists, election observers and civil society organisations without political discrimination.
SERAP urged INEC to act immediately to prevent further violence and safeguard the integrity of the Osun governorship election.