The UK said that it has started a project to gather data in order to apply visa bans and other punishments on politicians who participated in electoral fraud and anti-democratic activities.
The UK underlined that while there were benefits to be gained from the elections, violence and voter suppression were seen in several states, including Lagos, Enugu, and Rivers, in a statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja.
Following the United States’ lead, the UK criticised the “use of inflammatory ethnoreligious language by some public and political figures” and insisted that those responsible for the violence and voter suppression during the Nigerian governorship and state assembly elections should be held accountable.
The British High Commission remarked, “These are positive markers to build on for future elections. However, there were notable points of concern. Members of our observation mission personally observed violence, and voter suppression in numerous voting locations.
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“We witnessed and received credible reports from other observer missions and civil society organisations of vote buying and voter intimidation the destruction and hijacking of election materials and the general disruption of the process in numerous states including Lagos, Enugu and Rivers.
“In addition, we observed incidents of harassment of journalists. Freedom of speech and a free press are crucial for a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to go about their work without being threatened.
“The UK is concerned by the use of inflammatory ethnoreligious language by some public and political figures. We call on all leaders not just to distance themselves from this kind of language, but to prevent those who speak on their behalf from doing so in this way.
“It is a testament to their commitment to democracy that many Nigerians were prepared to vote despite being faced with intimidation and hostility.
“The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP, said on 21 February, that the UK is prepared to take action against those who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviours, and action could include preventing people from obtaining UK visas or imposing sanctions under our human rights sanctions regime.
“We can confirm that we are collating relevant information, with a view to taking action against some individuals.”
