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.
Every registrant with a valid voter’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.