INEC to decide on resumption of campaign

THE door for political campaign may not have been  closed after all, it was learnt yesterday, following a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider its position.

It was learnt that the electoral umpire will today meet to decide if parties can resume canvassing for votes openly.

INEC postponed last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly polls for a week. The elections will now hold next Saturday, 23rd February 2019. The governorship, state Assembly and FCT council polls earlier scheduled for March 2 have been shifted by a week.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to resume its camapigns.

The parties are eager to resume political campaign, given the current situation the country has found itself.

Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, stipulates that political campaign must end 24 hours to an elecrion.

For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

Section 2 of the Act stipulated a fine of N500, 000.00 punishment for any party which through any person acting on its behalf during the 24 hours prior to that day.

However, the law did not envisage a postponmnet whic explained its silence in the face of the present predicament the parties and the electoral body is currently confronted with.

But with the postponement of the election by a week, parties felt it will be wrong to stay mute for a week, as it may affect voter turnout for the rescheduled general elections.

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Saturday during the interactive session with stakeholders on the postponement of the polls said that political campaigns were over.

He, however, doubted the possibility of politicians to remain silent for a week without reaching out to voters.

The mounting pressure from political parties, may have necessitated the commission’s decision to meet to discuss the issue so as to decide on the possibility of resumption of political campaign or not.

Confirming the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi stated: “On campaigns, the Commission will meet tomorrow and take a decision.”