The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has promised to closely monitor compliance with the limits on campaign spending under the Electoral Act.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who disclosed this at the signing of the Peace Accord for Peaceful Campaign organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC), in Abuja said there were sanctions provided by law.
Yakubu urged Political parties and their candidates to study and familiarise themselves with the electoral legal framework to avoid any infraction of the law and the unhappy consequences that could follow any act of misdemeanor.
The Chief Electoral Umpire further admonished parties and candidates to commit to peaceful electioneering campaigns, this he said was imperative to peaceful campaign and peaceful and credible elections.
He assured that the Commission will vigorously monitor compliance to ensure that parties shun abusive, intemperate or slanderous language as well as insinuations or innuendoes likely to provoke a breach of the peace during the electioneering campaigns.
This Prof. Yakubu noted, was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and in INEC’s determination to play its role as a regulator.
“Every constituency is important. Every election is important. Therefore, the commitment to peaceful and issue-based electioneering campaign should resonate beyond the 18 Party Chairmen and Presidential candidates present here today.
“It is not enough to simply sign the Peace Accord. What is more important is to abide by its letter and spirit.
“You should similarly pass the message to all your candidates, members and supporters across the country for compliance.
“This will be your own way of showing appreciation for the work of the NPC and an affirmation of your contribution to electoral peace in Nigeria”, Yakubu said.
The Electoral Act 2022 provides for campaign in public by political parties to commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day.
Accordingly, campaign by political parties for the 2023 General Election officially commenced on Wednesday 28th September 2022. This according to INEC will continue until 24 hours before polling day i.e. 23rd February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and 9th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and Houses of Assembly).
The implication is that for the next 148 days, political parties, candidates and their supporters are free to traverse the country holding meetings, rallies, processions and door-to-door campaigns. They will grant interviews, sponsor indoor and outdoor advertisements and publish other campaign materials. This is often a delicate period characterized by excitement and anxiety.
The 2023 General Election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of one Presidential constituency, 28 Governorship elections, 109 Senatorial Districts, 360 Federal constituencies and 993 State Assembly constituencies.
