The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has called on political parties/candidates in Gombe State, Northeast Nigeria, to ensure that political campaigns are conducted peacefully and devoid of ran out.
The call came as Presidential campaigns in Nigeria begins on Wednesday, 28th September 2022.
A statement by the Head of Department, Voter Education & Publicity, Mr Nuhu Ibrahim said that “the ban on campaigns in public by political parties would be lifted on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the Electoral Act 2022 was clear on conducts that are prohibited during campaigns.”
“Pursuant to section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 9 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections, Sections 92 & 93 Political parties/candidates are to ensure that
campaigns are not “tainted with abusive language, directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings,” the statement said.
It said the use of slanderous or base language would likely provoke violent reactions or emotions, attacks or use of force on opposition parties/candidates or their programmes.
According to the statement, “it is prohibited to employ violent activities of any kind and equip armed groups during campaigns.”
It advised candidates to strictly comply with the limits on election expenses, as contained in section 88 of the Electoral Act 2022 because INEC would deploy its trained Staff for campaign finance tracking activities.
The Commission equally called on all prospective voters, who have registered from July 2021 to January 14, 2022, and those who requested for transfer, update or replacement of lost or damaged PVC from July 2021 to 30th June 2022 to visit the INEC LGA office in the state, where their PUs were located to collect them.
This it said, would enable them to participate in the elections.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
