Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu
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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cautioned political parties and their supporters not to attack one another during campaigns.
Recall, ahead of the kick off for the 2023 general campaign, that commenced on the 28 of September 2023, the Commission had warned political parties on contravening any of the provisions of section (92) of the 2022 Electoral Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction in the case of an aspirant or candidate, to a maximum fine.
Furthermore, the Commission expressed concern over reports of clashes among parties and their supporters in some states of the country during the ongoing electioneering campaign.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the call on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at the opening of a two-day training of master trainers on election technology for the 2023 General Election, organised with support from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES, in Abuja.
The INEC Chairman said “even as the Commission is working hard to ensure a credible process in the forthcoming elections, reports of clashes among parties and their supporters in some states of the country during the ongoing electioneering campaign is worrisome”.
“So too is the reported denial of access to public facilities for parties and candidates in some states of the Federation. Let me caution parties and their supporters to focus on issues and steer clear of attacks on each other.”
He added that: “These are not only violations of the Electoral Act 2022 but also negate the voluntary commitment by all political parties and candidates to the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord signed about three weeks ago under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC)”.
Cautioning political actors, Prof. Yakubu said, “Parties, candidates, and their supporters should not, by acts of commission or omission, further complicate the prevailing security situation in the country.”
He maintained that “a peaceful electioneering campaign is critical to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections,” adding that “the Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and will convene a meeting with leaders of political parties next week to discuss, among other issues, the imperative of peaceful campaigns and equal access to public facilities.”
“In the same vein, the Commission will also meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) next week,” he added.
