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Stop campaigning for 2015 General Elections - INEC warns politicians, parties

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has observed that some politicians and registered political parties have begun unbridled campaign towards the forthcoming General Election, thereby heating up the polity.

 In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Commission said it observed that campaign posters were  being indiscriminately displayed, while electioneering broadcasts are being aired outside the statutory provision for campaigning towards elections into various elective offices.

"This trend is unhealthy and portends ill for the political process. Indeed, it is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy," said the statement, which was signed by Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman.

It drew the attention of  all players to the provision of Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended), which states as follows: “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by       every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.” 

"Political parties are advised to note that campaigning outside this provision is a violation of the law, and the Commission will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against culprits as provided by relevant sections of the law," the statement added.

The commission also called on security agents to apprehend violators, whose activities in this regard pose a threat to public order. 

It enjoined all parties to play strictly by the rules, as part of a collective effort to ensure the success of the 2015 elections.