Campaign guidelines: INEC, parties meet over disobedience

Campaign guidelines: INEC, parties meet over disobedience

Ahead of the 2015 general elections the Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday had its third quarterly meeting with registered political parties on the forthcoming party primaries as well as the ratification of campaigns guidelines proposed by the commission.
In his speech at the meeting, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said as the 2015 elections draw near, the quarterly interface between the two bodies would be increased to a monthly level due to pressing issues concerning the election.
According to him, the controversial issue of polling units increase would also be discussed with the parties.
Jega said, “We wish to urge all parties to commit themselves to lawful and peaceful electioneering leading to the 2015 general elections. We must continue to work assiduously together to make our elections free, fair and credible, and to deepen democracy in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, political parties under the aegis of Inter Party Advisory Council, at the event, renewed their call on INEC to sanction parties who have violated the Electoral Act on the commencement of electoral campaigns.
Chairman of IPAC, Dr, Yahaya Yunusa, reminded INEC of its earlier demand from it to enforce the aspect of the Electoral Act that gave a 90-day window on political parties to commence electioneering campaigns.
While noting that the Act has been violated by various political parties using the third party, he expressed worry that the commission seems to be helpless in the face of the violation.
He, therefore, called on the chairman of the commission to rise up to the occasion and sanction the erring parties.
Yunusa also decried the use of shadow civil society groups to perform the duties of political parties which should be organizing the campaigns at the appropriate time.
He condemned the role of senior public servants who mount the rostrum to campaign at such rallies.
“A number of political parties have started campaigning using the third party group in violation of the electoral act that provides a 90-day window. High public servants are seen on the rostrum making speeches while INEC watches helplessly. INEC must call them to order,” he said.