INEC: Campaigns are over — despite poll shift

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says campaigns for the presidential and national assembly elections have not been extended.

Yakubu spoke at a briefing with various stakeholders on Saturday including the media, representatives of political parties and election observers following postponement of the elections.

The presidential and national assembly elections were postponed from February 16 till February 23 while the governorship and state house of assembly elections were moved from March 2 to March 9.

Although claiming responsibility, the INEC chairman also blamed the election postponement on “logistical challenges” and “sabotage attempts”.

When asked if politicians would be given opportunity to campaign in the week to the new date, Yakubu said no.

According to Section 101(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) all forms of political campaigns must end exactly 48 hours before the elections commence.

Any individual or corporate body found wanting would have committed an offence liable to a maximum fine of N1 million for a corporate body and N500,000 or a 12 month prison sentence for an individual.

Osita Chidoka, a representative of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the event, also said there was need for campaign to be extended.

“We need to keep informing and mobilising our supporters. We understand and have agreed with INEC that the election should be postponed, INEC ought to also give us opportunity to motivate our supporters to come out rather than staying silent”, but again, the INEC chairman said: “No.”