Laws regulate all aspects of our lives. The electoral process is no exception. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the Electoral Act 2010, as amended and the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) Rules and Regulations constitute the legal framework which regulates our electoral process. Provisions of these deal with the right to associate, vote, form Political Parties etc. Others include registration of voters, Election Day procedures, dispute resolution, etc.
Breaches or violations of some of these provisions often attract penalties, which on conviction may be a fine, a term of imprisonment, or both. Any conduct – action or inaction which is prohibited by the Constitution or the Electoral Act and a breach of which attracts punishment, is called an electoral offence. Electoral offences may be committed by AKISIEC or Security officials, Political Parties and their officials, Candidates, Observers, Journalists/Media Houses or the general public.
Anyone in breach of any of the provisions is liable to being arrested and charged to court and prosecuted by AKISIEC after investigation by the relevant Security Agencies.