Election violence in Nigeria’s south east is threatening to derail voting in the region

Oluwole Ojewale and Freedom C. Onuoha

VIOLENCE is a perennial feature of elections in Nigeria. It happens across the three stages of the electoral cycle – before, on and after election day.

The pre-election violence occurs mostly during party primaries – when political parties elect their candidates – and during campaigns.

It’s estimated that more than 1,149 people, including Independent National Electoral Commission employees and security officers, were killed in the three elections held in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

In the past, violence was perpetrated by thugs hired by desperate politicians. But the rise of non-state armed groups and the proliferation of weapons in Nigeria have made election security management even more complex.

Our recent analysis of Nigeria’s 2023 election confirms that the actions of these armed groups are already affecting core elements of election security. There have been abductions involving the electoral commission’s staff and attacks on its offices and sensitive equipment.

The frequency and intensity of attacks on election security have