Punish politicians in early election campaigns, SERAP tells INEC

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to identify politicians and political parties 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 had undermined its ability to track campaign finance limits. INEC also claimed there was no sanction for early election campaigns.
 
But in the letter at the weekend, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said INEC should not be helpless when political parties, candidates and other politicians contravene the legally prescribed period for election campaigns, stressing that early election campaigns were unconstitutional and illegal.
 
SERAP noted that INEC’s constitutional and statutory mandates extended to sanctioning or penalising electoral offences, including early election campaigns.
 
According to the body, 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.
 
“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,” it stated.
 
It argued that enforcing the prohibition against early election campaigns would be reasonable, justifiable and proportionate, as it would serve to achieve human dignity, equality, and freedom.