Punish politicians for early campaign - SERAP to INEC

Punish politicians for early campaign - SERAP to INEC

 Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “to identify politicians and political parties blatantly violating constitutional and statutory legal provisions and international standards which prohibit early election campaigns and to ensure the prosecution of perpetrators and their sponsors.”SERAP urged him “to closely monitor political parties breaching the constitutional and statutory provisions and international standards which prohibit early election campaigns and to develop clear regulations to govern the conduct of parties and politicians regarding premature election campaigns in Nigeria.”INEC last week expressed concerns about early election campaigns by political parties, stating that the campaigns have undermined its ability to track campaign finance limits. INEC also claimed there is no sanction for early election campaigns.But in the letter dated 13 September 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “INEC is not helpless when political parties, candidates and other politicians contravene the legally prescribed period for election campaigns. Early election campaigns are unconstitutional and illegal.”SERAP said, “INEC constitutional and statutory mandates extend to sanctioning or penalising electoral offences, including early election campaigns.”Ads by According to SERAP, “INEC should not be seen to be encouraging or giving legitimacy to political parties, candidates and other politicians carrying out early election campaigns outside the legally prescribed campaign period.”The letter, read in part: “Early election campaigns have adverse effects on economic development due to prolonged electioneering frenzy.”“As INEC is yet to publish the timetable and schedule of activities for elections, early election campaigns are inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”“Several state governors seem to be using fuel subsidy windfall for early election campaigns. Several state governors are grossly failing to invest in social and economic development and provide essential services to their residents despite a significant increase in revenue since the removal of fuel subsidies.”“Enforcing the prohibition against early election campaigns would be reasonable, justifiable and proportionate, as it would serve to achieve human dignity, equality, and freedom. INEC has broad constitutional and legal obligations to promote, protect, uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest.”“Any failure by INEC to fairly enforce constitutional and statutory prohibitions of early election campaigns and the country’s international human rights obligations would create a culture of impunity of perpetrators and their sponsors.”“By failing to act against or sanction political parties, candidates and other politicians for engaging in early election campaigns, INEC is implicitly condoning the violations of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.

Source: Punish politicians for early campaign - SERAP to INEC

 - NigerianEye

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