Early campaign heating up polity, says Attahiru Jega
Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday chided the activities of politicians heating up the polity with early campaigns ahead of 2027 general election.
He lamented that these politicians are jumping the gun and going scot-free because the appropriate constitutional sanctions are not applied when they violate the law.
The former university teacher, who delivered a paper titled: “Towards addressing the challenges of premature election campaigns in Nigeria,” at a round table organised by INEC in Abuja, said premature campaign was an aberration in democratic elections.
He said any form of premature campaign violates the constitution, thereby undermining INEC’s authority and eroding the integrity of any election.
At the forum, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmod Yakubu, said the agency is handicapped in trying to sanction the political parties and candidates for elections who organise campaigns before the stipulated time.
He said while the Electoral Act imposes a fine of ₦500, 000 on those who engaged in campaign less than 24 hours to the main election, there is no sanction in the Electoral Act 2022 for those who engage in campaign less than 150 days to elections.
