The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has sensitised All Progressive Congress, APC candidates on the guidelines and rules for tracking financing and general electioneering campaign activities in Sokoto State.
Head of Voter Education, INEC office Sokoto, Mr Muhammad Abbani Takai, while addressing candidates vying for different positions at the State APC Secretariat, said the commission would not spare anyone who violates its guidelines and rules.
According to him, any candidate who violates the guidelines is subject to a N500,000 fine or nine months imprisonment or both.
Abbani added that the commission had also set the amount of expenditure each candidate should spend during the election campaign to the elections period.
” candidates and party spending limit has been spelt out by the commission thus must not exceed same.
” finances for each party presidential candidate campaigns should not exceed N5 billion, Governor N1 billion, Senate N100 million, House of representative N 70 Million and state assembly N30 million,” he stated.
Mr Takai however explained that the commission was ready to conduct free, fair and credible elections come 2023 as it employs effective mechanisms.
“Our focus and determination is to detail and remind politicians and Nigerians of our mandate as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended and also the commission’s electoral acts.
” Politicians need to conduct and respect themselves in accordance with the guiding principle of the game.
” No abusive and derogatory language, they should promote politics of ideology, not sentiment,” Mr Takai added.
In his remarks, the State APC Chairman, Isah Sadiq Achida, commended the commission for its efforts towards improving the electoral process in the country describing it as among the best in the world.
He urged the commission to strictly adhere to the set guidelines and rules for free, fair and credible elections across the country.
” You should remain truly Independent against internal and external influences.
” Don’t be allowed to be used as a willing tool,” Achida urged.
The Chairman assured the commission that the party in the state would adhere to all the guidelines and rules throughout campaigns, elections and post-elections.
“The party will base its activities on issues relevant to the development of Sokoto State people,” he stressed.
Also responding on behalf of all candidates, the APC Governorship aspirant, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, commended the commission for organising the interaction ahead of electioneering campaigns.
He assured INEC that the party would liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the set guidelines and rules.
Ahmad Aliyu also urged the commission to ensure proper protection of all votes of APC in the state which will maintain free, fair and credible elections.
The sensitisation had in attendance all state and national assembly candidates vying for different positions under the platform of APC, state Party officials and other relevant stakeholders of the party.
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