The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to obtain police case files on reported electoral violence and to prosecute suspects where sufficient evidence exists. In a letter dated November 14, 2026, and signed by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group asked INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to obtain investigation materials from the Nigeria Police Force on people arrested over reported incidents of electoral and political violence since campaigns for the 2027 general elections began.

The demand follows several incidents, including the reported attack on members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress during a town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12. SERAP urged Amupitan to "direct INEC's legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the Commission to promptly review the case files and prosecute persons already arrested where the available evidence establishes offences under the Electoral Act 2026." It also asked the commission to press the police to intensify investigations, identify and arrest other suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and invoke section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to demand explanations from political parties suspected of encouraging prohibited conduct, imposing the prescribed fine on any party that fails to comply.S1S2

SERAP listed several reported incidents since campaigns began on August 19, 2026, including the reported obstruction of the convoy of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State on September 8. In the letter the group said, "The prosecution of electoral offences is essential not only to punish individual offenders but also to deter future violations and prevent the normalisation of electoral and political violence in the country." It added that INEC "has a clear statutory responsibility to prosecute electoral offences and ensure that those responsible are held to account, regardless of their political affiliations or positions."S1S2

SERAP warned that it would take legal action if INEC failed to act within seven days of receiving or the publication of the letter. "If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to discharge your statutory responsibilities in the public interest," the letter said.S1S2