National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday warned politicians and political parties to desist from 2015 campaigns now, saying doing so is heating up the polity. “It is observed thatcampaign posters are being indiscriminately displayed, while electioneering broadcasts are being aired outside the statutory provision for campaigning towards elections into various elective offices,” a statement by the chief press secretary to INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu said. “This trend is unhealthy and portends ill for the political process. Indeed, it is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. Only recently, therewere posters of President Jonathanand Governor Sule Lamido and his Rivers state counterpart Rotimi Amaechi flooding Abuja for 2015 presidency. Last week, posters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were alsocited in Kaduna. The commission reminds stakeholders of the provision of section 99(1) of theElectoral Act 2010 (As Amended), which states as follows: “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.” Advising political parties to note that campaigning outside this provision amounts to a violation of thelaw, Idowu said the commission will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against culprits as providedby relevant sections of the law. “INEC calls on security agents to apprehend violators, whose activities in this regard pose a threat to public order. “The commission enjoins all parties to play strictly by the rules, as part ofa collective effort to ensure the success of the 2015 elections,” the statement said. Asked to elaborate on the kind of broadcast electioneering campaigns, Idowu said “if you have been following broadcast programmes, you see politicians who are interested in 2015 elective positions making statements that amount to campaigns. “This is in violation of the provisions ofthe law regarding the time frame for campaigns by politicians and political parties,” hesaid. On the specific sanctions to be applied to erring politicians and political parties, Idowu said the relevant sections of the law and the stipulated sanctions would be applied at the appropriate t
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:21:49 +0000
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