Nigeria’s elections: NANS states position on Buhari’s threat to ballot snatchers

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged personnel of security agencies involved in the forthcoming general elections to ignore President Muhammadu Buhari’s order of extra-judicial killings for ballot box snatchers and work within the ambit of the law.

A statement by NANS’ National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Bestman Okereafor, said: “The Electoral Act 2010, as amended, prohibits anyone from snatching electoral materials and committing other related offences during elections.

“Section 129 Sub-section (4) of the Electoral Act prescribes a maximum of two years imprisonment for offenders.

“Section 131 of the same act further states that anyone who uses force, threats, violence or restraint is liable on conviction to a fine of N1 million or imprisonment for a term of 3 years,” he said.

NANS spokesman said that the menace of ballot box snatching must be vehemently rejected, resisted and condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“However, dealing with the menace should be done in the most civil manner in accordance with the provision of the law.”

According to him, doing so is in line with international best practices obtainable in any other civilised country of the world.