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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Kwara State, has warned politicians against the use of armed private security organisations during campaigns or election processions as it issued guidelines for the commencement of campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Garba Attahiru, announced this in Ilorin, on Monday, during a stakeholders meeting.
Attahiru, who was represented by the INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr Julius Yagba, said that 14 activities had been successfully implemented, and the 14th been the publication of the final list of nominated candidates by INEC on September 20, 2022.
He said the next activity in line was the commencement of campaigns by the political parties which would begin by September 28, 2022, adding that the meeting was designed to remind all stakeholders about the responsibilities and expectations during the campaigns.
According to him, campaigns for the offices of president and national assembly will commence on September 28, and the governorship and state house of assembly will commence on October 12.
“Relying on Section 92 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission expects the political campaigns to be civil, devoid of abusive language and without any rancour. Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2022, forbids any political campaign or slogan tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly or one likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.
“Therefore abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or insinuations or innuendoes intended or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotion should be avoided.
“Parties and candidates are to avoid training or enlisting the services of individuals or groups, e.g. masquerades, for the purpose of adopting physical force or coercion in a manner likely to arouse apprehension during campaigns,” the REC said.
Attahiru enjoined political parties and their candidates to comply with these provisions as contravening them would attract sanctions. Adding that any political party, aspirant or candidate who contravened Section 92 of the Act would be fined one million naira or face 12 months imprisonment.
He further stated that any political party that contravened the provision of Section 92 would be fined two million naira and one million naira, for any subsequent offence.
The REC further elaborated that any candidate or aspirant who equips any person or group to display physical force or commit an offence and is liable on conviction, will be fined N500,000 or three years imprisonment.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to monitor the campaign processes as well as ensure efficient and effective deployment of personnel for peaceful electioneering.
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