By Emegwoako C. Paschal
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ilorin Kwara, Malam Garba Attahiru, during a stakeholders meeting on Monday, September 26, announced the release of electoral guidelines for the start of the general election campaigns in 2023, by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.
Attahiru stated that 14 activities had been successfully carried out as of Tuesday, September 20, 2022, when INEC published the final list of candidates nominated.
The Commissioner, represented by Julius Yagba, INEC Administrative Secretary, stated that the commencement of the political parties’ campaigns on Wednesday, September 28, is the next agenda.
He continued by saying that the purpose of the meeting was to remind all parties involved of their obligations and demands during the various offices’ campaigns.
According to him, the campaigns for the offices of President and National Assembly will begin on Wednesday, September 28, and the Governorship and State House of Assembly will begin on Wednesday, October 12.
“In accordance with Section 92 of the Electoral Act of 2022, the commission expects political campaigns to be civil, free of abusive language, and free of rancor.”
“Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits any political campaign or slogan that is directly or indirectly tainted with abusive language, or that is likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal, or sectional feelings.”
“As a result, abusive, intemperate, slanderous, or base language, as well as insinuations or innuendoes intended or likely to elicit violent reactions or emotion, should be avoided.”
“Parties and candidates must avoid training or enlisting the services of individuals or groups, such as masquerades, for the purpose of using physical force or coercion in a way that is likely to arouse apprehension during campaigns,” the REC stated.
As a result, he cautioned politicians against using armed private security companies during campaigns or election processions.
He also urged political parties and their candidates to follow these rules, as breaking them will result in penalties.
He stated that any political party, aspirant, or candidate who violated Section 92 of the Act would face a N1 million fine or 12 months in prison.
He did, however, state that any political party that violated Section 92 would be fined N2 million for the first offense and N1 million for any subsequent offense.
He went on to say that any candidate or aspirant who equips any person or group to use physical force commits an offense and faces a fine of N500,000 or three years in prison if convicted.
