INEC Insists Campaigns Are Over Despite Poll Shift

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says campaigns for the 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 to February 23 while the governorship and state house of assembly elections were moved from March 2 to March 9 after what the commission’s chair termed “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 24 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.