The United States and the United Kingdom have warned that politicians, who instigate violence or are involved in electoral fraud, will be placed on vi
The United States and the United Kingdom have warned that politicians, who instigate violence or are involved in electoral fraud, will be placed on visa ban and refused entry into their countries. In statements issued by the US Embassy and British High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Thursday, both governments called for free and fair elections, announcing that politicians working towards scuttling the exercise would not only face a number of sanctions but would also have their family members face visa ban to the US and the UK.
In their statement, both countries reiterated the importance of the upcoming elections in Nigeria and the African continent and therefore urged that everyone involved in the upcoming electoral process conduct themselves properly. While they both do not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections they however support the Nigerian democratic process itself as well as a genuinely free, fair, transparent and peaceful electoral process.
However, both countries added that they will be paying close attention to actions of individuals, who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during or after the elections and will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process. It would also include any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including on social media.
Under both the US immigration laws, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members. But in the UK such individuals could have restrictions to access UK based funds or lead to prosecution under international law.
