Current Laws Are Toothless! – Ezekwesili Blasts Weak Punishments For Electoral Fraud

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called for tougher sanctions to tackle electoral malpractice, arguing that current punishments are too lenient to deter politicians from violating election laws.

Speaking at the National Electoral Reforms Summit 2025 in Abuja, themed “Critical Constitutional Amendments for Credible Election in 2027”, Ezekwesili emphasized the need for stricter penalties, including jail terms for offenses such as vote buying, result manipulation, and election-related violence.

“Stronger penalties for electoral offences are urgently needed. Current punishments are too weak to deter violations. Increasing fines and jail terms for vote buying, result falsification, and violence would strengthen deterrence,” she said.

Ezekwesili also advocated giving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) full legal authority over security agencies during elections to prevent undue political influence.

“Security agencies have become one of the greatest challenges to our democracy. INEC should have explicit legal authority to direct security personnel assigned to them, ensuring they respond to electoral needs rather than political pressures,” she added.

She further stressed that INEC’s budget should be directly allocated without interference from the executive branch, released fully and on time to facilitate proper election planning. Ezekwesili urged that INEC adopt open budgeting principles, working with civil society to ensure every naira is tracked for accountability.