How to end election violence – Group

Kimpact Development Initiative (KPI) has insisted that everyone involved in election violence must be prosecuted if the nation must experience violation-free polls.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of the final report of the 2020 Edo and Ondo states governorship elections, the executive director of the organisation, Bukola Idowu, said tension and violence persist during elections because violators are not punished.

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He blamed voter apathy on election violence and tension, noting that people are scared to come out and vote during elections because of their safety.

He advocated a special electoral court that would be responsible in punishing electoral offenders, adding that the court should be empowered to handle election matters expeditiously.

He said fake news, thuggery and partiality of INEC and security agents were responsible for the 157 cases of election violence recorded during the elections in Edo and Ondo states.