INEC Chairman Calls ‘Early Campaign’ Violation Of Electoral Laws, Threat To Democratic Governance
Politicians, who embark on campaign before the traditional start of an election cycle, are violating the nation’s electoral laws and their activities amount to a threat to democratic governance, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has submitted.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who said this during a one-day roundtable on the challenges of early campaign held at the Electoral Institute in Abuja on Wednesday, described campaign ahead of scheduled timelines as a ‘disturbing trend’.
He cited off-cycle governorship elections, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, and the 2027 general election.
Making reference to Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which clearly prohibits campaign earlier than 150 days before Election Day, and requires all campaign activities to end 24 hours before voting begins.
‘Political parties, candidates and their supporters seem to be perpetually in election mood even when the Electoral Commission is yet to release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.
Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns and even rallies promoting various political parties and candidates’ he noted.
Warning that such premature activities seriously compromise INEC’s ability to enforce campaign finance limits, he also lamented that legal framework also serves as an inhibition.
‘These actions and activities undermine the commission’s ability to track campaign finance limits as politicians, prospective candidates and third-party agents expend large amounts of money that cannot be effectively monitored before the official commencement of campaigns.
The major challenge for the commission is the law itself’ he noted.
Although Section 94(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 imposes a maximum fine of N500,000 for anyone who campaigns 24 hours before an election, Professor Yakubu noted that ‘there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election’.
‘Here lies the challenge for the commission in dealing with the early campaign’ he added.
Yakubu also suggested ways of addressing the matter.
‘The seeming inability of the commission and other regulatory agencies to deal with the menace within the ambit of the existing electoral legal framework calls for deep reflection.
With the National Assembly currently reviewing our electoral laws, the commission has also invited the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters.
I am confident that they will give due consideration to actionable recommendations by experts’ he said-Team@orientactualmags.com
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