…says, Without enforceable sanctions, INEC’s hands are tied.
ABUJA ,NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns over the Commission’s limited powers to sanction political parties, candidates, and their supporters who engage in premature political campaigns ahead of elections.
Speaking at a high-level roundtable discussion convened by INEC, themed “Challenges of Premature Political Campaigns,” Yakubu called for urgent legislative reforms to close legal loopholes that allow early campaign activities to go unchecked.
Prof. Yakubu noted that Section 94(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act clearly stipulates that political campaigns should begin no earlier than 150 days before polling day and must end 24 hours before voting commences. The provision, he explained, is designed to allow elected officials to focus on governance rather than being in constant campaign mode.
However, he lamented that many political parties and aspirants routinely flout this provision, commencing campaigns well before the release of the official timetable, leaving INEC powerless to take meaningful action.
“Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns, and even rallies promoting political parties and candidates far ahead of schedule,” Yakubu said. “These actions undermine the Commission’s ability to effectively track campaign financing. Enormous sums are spent by politicians and third-party supporters before the campaign window opens, and these expenditures cannot be properly monitored or accounted for.”
While Section 94(2) of the Electoral Act prescribes a fine of up to N500,000 for campaigns conducted less than 24 hours before polling day, Yakubu stressed that there are no penalties for campaigns carried out earlier than the 150-day window. This legal vacuum, he said, has emboldened political actors to remain in a perpetual campaign cycle.
“Quite correctly, Nigerians expect INEC, as the regulator of political parties, to take action in the face of blatant breaches of the law on early campaigning,” he said. “However, the major challenge for the Commission lies in the law itself. Without enforceable sanctions, INEC’s hands are tied.”
Yakubu emphasized that the problem of premature campaigns is not new and has persisted over several electoral cycles. He argued that the inability of INEC and other regulatory agencies to curb the trend within the current legal framework calls for serious reflection and urgent reform.
In light of this challenge, INEC convened the roundtable to engage with legislators, political party leaders, civil society groups, legal experts, media regulators, and advertising authorities to brainstorm practical solutions. The goal, Yakubu explained, is to generate actionable recommendations that can strengthen compliance with electoral laws and enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“As the National Assembly is currently reviewing our electoral laws, this engagement comes at a critical time,” he said. “We have invited the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters to join this discussion. Their collaboration is crucial to closing gaps in the law and ensuring that future elections are conducted within a well-regulated campaign environment.”
Yakubu also underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, noting that the protection of Nigeria’s democracy cannot rest solely on the shoulders of INEC. He called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to work with INEC in regulating media and advertising content related to political campaigns.
“Safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process is a shared responsibility,” Yakubu concluded. “By working together, regulators, lawmakers, political parties, and civil society, we can ensure that Nigeria’s democracy continues to grow stronger and more transparent.”
The roundtable marks the beginning of what INEC hopes will be a broader conversation on campaign regulation, political accountability, and governance reform, ahead of the next electoral cycle.
