By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
As preparations gradually begin for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, a civil society group in Bayelsa State has called for the establishment of an electoral offenders register to curb electoral malpractice and violence.
The Bayelsa State Peace Architecture (SPA) made the call during a 2026 town hall meeting held in Yenagoa, themed “Sensitization Against Electoral Violence, Ballot Box Snatching and Vote Trading.”
The event was part of activities marking National Police Week.
Presenting a position paper on behalf of the group, the SPA Secretary, Dr Inebaraton Preye, said the creation of a comprehensive offenders register across police formations would help track and prosecute individuals involved in electoral crimes.
According to him, proactive measures are needed to deter electoral fraud before, during, and after elections.
“Victims are left to count their losses, while offenders are often rewarded with political appointments or contracts. This trend must stop if we are serious about strengthening our democracy,” Preye said.
He noted that previous election cycles in areas such as Ekeremor, Nembe, Southern Ijaw, Brass, and parts of Yenagoa were marred by violence, ballot box snatching, and vote trading, with little or no accountability for perpetrators.
Preye identified the use of political thugs, proliferation of arms, and vote buying as major threats to credible elections, urging stakeholders to adopt early warning and response mechanisms to prevent crises.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, who chaired the meeting, was urged to enforce discipline within the force and ensure officers maintain professionalism during electoral processes.
Other stakeholders at the forum emphasised the need for continuous training and retraining of security personnel, particularly police officers, to prioritise national interest and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
They also called for sanctions against any officer found compromising electoral transparency.
Participants at the meeting, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, and civil society actors called for collective action to promote peaceful and credible elections in the state.
They urged politicians, security agencies, and community leaders to commit to peaceful conduct as the 2027 election cycle approaches, noting that Bayelsa must sustain its reputation as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
