The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for an urgent legislative amendment to curb the rising trend of premature election campaigns.
These, the Commission said, are undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
INEC, in a statement on its Facebook page on Thursday, said this call was made at a one-day stakeholders’ dialogue in Abuja, where officials highlighted a significant loophole in the current electoral law.
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Organised by The Electoral Institute (TEI), the roundtable brought together political actors, legal experts, and regulatory bodies to address a growing challenge described as “early political campaigns,” often disguised as social or religious gatherings.
Abdullahi Zuru, Chairman of the TEI Board, noted that aspirants are increasingly using cultural festivals, religious events, and social media to hint at their political ambitions long before the legally stipulated campaign period begins.
He warned that this practice raises the cost of political participation, distracts from governance, and erodes public trust in the electoral system.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, identified the core problem as a legal gap.
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While Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 sets the campaign period at 150 days before an election, he stated, “there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election. Here lies the challenge for the Commission.”
Yakubu explained that this lack of a penalty hinders the commission’s ability to monitor campaign spending, as significant sums of money are expended by prospective candidates and third-party agents outside the official campaign window.
To address this, INEC has engaged with the leadership of the National Assembly Committees on Electoral Matters, inviting them to the dialogue to hear stakeholders’ recommendations directly.
The National Assembly is currently reviewing the nation’s electoral legal framework.Former INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, delivered the keynote address, describing premature campaigns as a “serious threat to elections.”
He was particularly critical of the use of third-party groups and incumbent officials, whom he labelled “premature democrats.”
Jega recommended that all candidates and parties, especially those holding public office, be held “vicariously responsible and penalised” for early campaigns conducted on their behalf.
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The roundtable also featured presentations from key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, the Inspector General of Police, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman.
