Stakeholders seek stiffer sanctions against premature campaigns
Omeiza Bilal
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and key electoral stakeholders have called for tougher penalties against premature election campaigns.
According to the commission, Premature election campaigns are campaigns done outside the legally defined period. Such campaigns begin as early as 150 days before polling day and sometimes continue up to 24 hours before voting, in breach of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Speaking at a roundtable on premature political campaigns in Abuja on Tuesday, former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, stressed that the law provides a clear timeline for campaigns. He said that early campaigning undermines INEC’s authority and the rule of law.
Jega noted that despite the existing framework, premature campaigns have become widespread, often led by incumbents at federal and state levels. He observed that politicians “jump the gun” by flooding public spaces with posters and banners years before the official campaign period.
He described many of these activities as “third-party campaigns,” allegedly sponsored by support groups with questionable funding. According to him, such practices likely breach campaign finance laws and allow politicians to hide behind illegal proxies.
Jega warned that the consequences of premature campaigns are far-reaching. They undermine democratic institutions, create an uneven playing field, escalate campaign costs, and distract incumbents from governance. He also noted that they often fuel political tension, hate speech, and ethno-religious polarization.
To address the problem, Jega recommended that campaign offences, particularly premature campaigning, be clearly defined in law, with stiff penalties imposed and strictly enforced. He also urged that incumbents and their parties should be held responsible for premature campaigns carried out on their behalf.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in his remarks, acknowledged that while the law prohibits campaigns 24 hours before polling, it provides no sanctions for campaigns held before the official 150-day window.
“Here lies the challenge for the Commission in dealing with early campaigns by political parties, prospective candidates, and their supporters,” he said.
Yakubu admitted that early campaigning is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria but regretted that INEC and other regulatory agencies have been unable to curb it effectively under the current framework. He stressed that the Commission cannot act beyond the limits of the law, hence the need for legislative reform.
He said the roundtable was convened to bring together lawmakers, political leaders, civil society groups, regulators, and experts to recommend practical solutions.
“As the National Assembly is currently reviewing our electoral laws, I am confident that the actionable recommendations from this meeting will be given due consideration,” Yakubu added.
The INEC Chairman also assured stakeholders that the Commission would continue to engage political parties and security agencies to promote compliance with the law, while urging regulators such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to monitor campaign activities more closely in order to curb violations ahead of the 2027 elections.
