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BY: News Peddlers
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| Professor Mahmood Yakubu. Credit: INEC |
The Katsina State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians and political parties to avoid using provocative and abusive language during campaigning in the state.
The warning was issued by Abdullahi Ibrahim-Umar, the head of the commission's Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) division, at a stakeholders forum in Katsina on Friday.
According to an INEC official, political campaigns should be peaceful, orderly, and mature.
Mr Ibrahim-Umar also warned that rallies should not promote, propagate, or attack opposition parties, candidates, programs, or ideologies, citing section 92 (1-6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which governs how political campaigns should be conducted.
"Political parties and candidates must internalise what constitutes campaign regulations or restrictions as defined in the Electoral Act 2022 in order to avoid committing an offence punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.
"Ignorance of the law is not an excuse," as the saying goes. Transparency in these areas increases contestants' and voters' trust in the electoral processes.
"This could shine a light on any unfair practises or potential abuses of state power that exist." Mr. Ibrahim-Umar stated
He further stated that the "Electoral Act directed and empowered the Commissioner of Police in each state and the Federal Capital Territory to provide adequate security for the proper and peaceful conduct of political rallies and processions in their jurisdictions.
"And for this purpose, the police may be assisted by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and any other Federal Government security agency.
"As a result, no registered political party in Nigeria, its aspirants, or candidates shall be barred from holding rallies, processions, or meetings for constitutional political purposes at any time.
"In addition, the police shall, in consultation with the parties, resolve any conflict of time and venue between and among them.
"Political parties shall transmit to the commission, via the Electoral Officer of the Local Government Area and the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the State, information about their candidates.
"Both should be in hard and soft copy, with details of their political rally or procession schedule, at least 10 days before the procession or rallies.
He emphasised that the notice for national campaign rallies and processions must be signed jointly by the political party's national chairman and national secretary.
In the case of a state campaign or procession, he believes the notice should be jointly signed by the party's state chairman and secretary.
(NAN)