Ensure compliance with electoral law on campaigns, group tells INEC

A group under the aegis of The Electoral Hub has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure political parties comply with the provisions of the law on campaigns.

The group in a statement on Wednesday also urged the media to boycott negative news and hate speech and ensure balanced coverage.

These were part of the group’s deliberation during the its Seventh Technical Session.

The statement was signed by the group’s Chairman, Professor Adebayo Olukoshi.

The statement reads, “During the technical session, Forum members discussed the key points from the policy dialogue on addressing vote trading in Nigeria: Lessons from Global comparative experience, stating that discussions from the meeting were timely and should be adequately addressed.

“The Forum expressed concerns about the Electoral Offences Commission being subject to the Attorney General of the Federation as this may lead to impunity at the highest level.
The Forum deliberated on the upcoming campaigns by political parties and candidates, including the need for policy-based/issue-based campaigns, eschewing hate speech in all its ramifications, and the cost of campaigns.

“Also noted is the fact that politicians have failed to heed the timetable for the commencement of campaigns which is the 28th of September 2022, as campaigns seem to be ongoing, especially on social media.

“The Forum stated that the expectations from political parties and candidates during campaigns are that campaigns should target real issues facing the country with facts and figures, be policy-based and ensure that messages passed during campaigns are violence-free and impact positively on the audience. In addition, banks and anti-corruption agencies such as ICPC and EFCC should be fully involved in monitoring campaigns and the electioneering period, and the media should spotlight more on policy-based campaigns by candidates and parties. The Forum also expressed concerns about the lack of clear programs and the unhealthy competition among candidates during campaigns. The Forum also expressed concerns about ‘who prosecutes who’ in relation to the power of incumbency and the illegal use of state funds for campaigns.

“The Forum also underscored the importance of security in the electoral process. It emphasises that peaceful and credible elections can only be possible through close collaboration between INEC and the Security Agencies in view of the preponderance of numerous challenges which include but are not limited to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes.”

The group recommended “the revival of strategies and alliances by CSOs such as was in operation before and which brought the changes in the electoral process between 1999 -2010 (the first 10 years of the return to democracy in Nigeria).

“Taskforce by citizens and CSOs should be formed to enable citizens to protect their mandate where necessary; engagement of INEC on the proper placement of voting cubicles during the election to ensure the secrecy of the ballots in line with global integrity standards and best practices.

“INEC and other anti-graft agencies should ensure that there is compliance with the provisions of the law on campaigns. The media should aid in boycotting negative news and hate speech and ensure balanced coverage. INEC should publish audit reports of the political party’s accounts.

“Political parties should be made to submit audits of their account to INEC as provided by law. Mainstream and social media should be used to curb misinformation, disinformation, and the issues pertaining to the misuse of media during the electioneering period.

“CSOs should blow the whistle where the political class uses state resources for campaigns or personal gain. CSOs should also focus on the holistic agenda of good governance and not only on good elections as both are equally critical.”