Campaigns end today midnight: We’ll sanction any party engages in rallies, media campaigns – INEC to political parties
By Joy Odor
As Edo State goes into the governorship election on Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reminded all political parties that all campaigns end by midnight Thursday.
This is even as INEC informed that it is illegal for any political party in Edo State to engage in rallies, processions or media campaigns from midnight today, informing that these prohibitions, including sanctions which is provided in Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee who made this known to newsmen in Abuja in a statement on Thursday, charged political parties to check Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, and item 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2024 election, which state that all campaigns by political parties end at midnight today, Thursday 19th September 2024.
According to INEC, on Election Day, Saturday 21st September 2024, parties, candidates and their supporters should not appear at the polling units in their campaign attires or carry any campaign materials with them.”
The Commission urged parties, candidates and their supporters to take note of the provisions of the law for compliance.
“Wmet today, Thursday 19th September 2024. In addition to reviewing the final preparations for the Edo State Governorship election holding on Saturday 21st September 2024, the Commission also considered and approved the revised Regulations and Guidelines for the Recall of members of the National and State Assemblies and Councillors in the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The Commission has, in the last few weeks, received a number of requests from different groups across the country for the recall of their representatives in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Some of them have even requested the Commission to initiate the process of the recall on their behalf.
“For clarity, the process is initiated by the voters in a constituency. The Commission only implements their request in line with Sections 69, 110 and 160 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Sections 2(c) and 113 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“Accordingly, the Commission has reviewed the regulations and guidelines, providing a detailed procedure for recall. The 10-page document has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for the guidance of prospective petitioners and for public information.
“We appeal to constituents interested in the recall of their elected representatives to be guided by the provisions of the regulations and guidelines in preparing and submitting their petitions to the Commission” he ended.
