US EditionNigeria: Why We Can't Prosecute Politicians Engaging in Premature Campaigns - INEC Chair
INEC highlights lack of legal sanctions for campaigns starting over 150 days before elections, complicating enforcement and risking electoral fairness and public trust.
- INEC Chair Professor Mahmood Yakubu explained at a roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday that premature political campaigns pose a significant challenge for the commission.
- He stated that the issue continues because the Electoral Act 2022 does not impose penalties on political parties that begin campaigning well before the 150-day mark prior to election day, which restricts INEC’s ability to enforce regulations effectively.
- Political parties and candidates engage in activities such as billboards, media campaigns, and use of third-party fronts months ahead, distorting fairness and raising the cost of elections.
- Yakubu highlighted the law imposes only a mild N500,000 fine for campaigns within 24 hours before polling day, while Nigerians expect stronger action against early campaign breaches.
- INEC convened stakeholders to brainstorm reforms, aiming to refine regulations, strengthen enforcement, and protect electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general election.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Why we can’t prosecute politicians engaging in premature campaigns – INEC chair
“However, the major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” he said. The post Why we can’t prosecute politicians engaging in premature campaigns – INEC chair appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
INEC: Why we can't punish politicians for early campaigns
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it cannot sanction politicians flouting the ban on campaign ahead of election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the explanation at a one-day roundtable on the challenges of early political campaigns, organised by The Electoral Institute (TIE) in Abuja on Wednesday. Yakubu noted that while Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibited campaigns from starting earl…
INEC Says Its Hands Are Tied on Premature 2027 Campaigns
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the growing trend of incumbents leveraging their positions to gain unfair advantage through early election campaigns, despite existing legal restrictions. Victoria Etta-Messi, INEC’s director of voter education and publicity, described the situation as “dicey” during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, September 10, 2025…
2027: INEC decry ‘premature’ campaigns by politicians, parties
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faulted what it described as “premature” campaigns by political parties and candidates in the lead up to the 2027 elections. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Premature Political Campaigns organized by The Electoral Institute (TEI) at its headquarters in Abuja, highlighted the commission’s major challenge in tackling the issue: a gap in the e…
INEC Raises Alarm Over Early Campaigns, Seeks Electoral Amendment
INEC says politicians in power are abusing incumbency for early campaigning. Legal gaps prevent INEC from sanctioning campaign violations before the official period. Stakeholders’ meeting called to brainstorm reforms and solutions. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the rising trend of early election campaigns. Eko Hot Blog reports that the Commission […] The post INEC Raises Alarm Over Early Campaig…
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