The Independent National Electoral
Commission has sent letters of warning to all political parties, asking
them to stop campaigns.
The warning was sequel to activities of
majority of the political parties which were considered to be against
the provisions of the law on electioneering.
The commission had released the
timetable and schedule of the 2019 general elections in January when it
said that campaigns must not commence before December, which is three
months to the commencement of the elections.
However, majority of the political parties ignored the timetable and flooded the political space with campaigns.
The electoral body was said to have
expressed worry and therefore, asked its state Resident Electoral
Commissioners to call the attention of the political parties in their
states to the provisions of the law guiding electoral activities.
In one of the letters to the political
parties in Sokoto State, sighted by our correspondent, the REC, Sadiq
Buba Musa, asked the political parties to desist from early campaigns.
His memo, titled “2019 general election
campaign violation,” with Reference Number INEC /PP//245 /Vol. /310,
was dated April 23, 2018.
In the letter, Musa regretted that the
commission had observed that some of the political parties had violated
the provisions of the law guiding electoral campaigns.
While warning them to desist from
further violation of the law, he nevertheless warned that the commission
would punish any political parties that ignored his warning.
His letter partly read, “As you are
aware, the activities of all registered political parties are to be in
compliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and
the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended).
“Consequently, the commission has
observed with dismay that some political parties have already started
campaigning publicly, and by so doing, contravening the provisions of
the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) regarding public campaigns.
“In the light of the above, you are
advised to strictly adhere to Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010
(as amended), which stipulates that for the purpose of this Act, the
period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence
90 days before polling day and ends 24 hours prior to that day.
“Section 100 (1) states that a candidate
and his party shall campaign for election in accordance with such rules
and regulations as may be determined by the commission.
“Section 99 (2) (B) also provides that a maximum fine of N500‚ 000. 00 for contravening section (91) and (2) shall be enforced.
“l therefore appeal to all registered
political parties in the state to be law abiding as we look forward to a
peaceful conduct of 2019 General Elections.
“However, any political party that
chooses to ignore this appeal and is found to be in breach of the
provisions of the law shall face the full wrath of the law.
“Please accept the assurances of my esteem regards.”
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