2019 Polls: INEC Capitulates, Okays Campaigns’ Resumption

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Under intense pressure from political actors, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reversed itself and offered a new window for parties to resume open campaigns following the re-scheduling of the general elections to February 23 and March 9, 2019.

The electoral umpire gave the nod late on Monday as the two major parties threatened to hit the campaigns trail again in line with provisions of Section 99 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, stipulating that campaign should stop 48 hours to the election.

With its one week shift in the Presidential and National Assembly elections date, INEC had maintained that the open campaigns’ window remained closed, a decision that attracted wide condemnation from political parties and actors who vowed to disregard the ban for being ‘illegal and unlawful’.

However, after reviewing its decision at a meeting in Abuja on Monday, the electoral body capitulated and gave political parties the go-ahead to resume their campaigns, acknowledging the provisions stipulated Section 99 of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.

A statement by its National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, said; “The Independent National Electoral Commission met on Monday, 18th February, 2019 and reviewed its preparations for the 2019 general elections re-scheduled for Saturday, 23rd February, 2019 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and Saturday, 9th March, 2019 for governorship, State Assembly and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections.”

The statement said; “after consultations with political parties, the Commission has approved that campaigns by parties and candidates can resume forthwith to end by midnight of Thursday, let February 2019.

“Media organisations are at liberty to accept, publish, broadcast and circulate campaign materials up till midnight of Thursday, 21st February, 2019. Political parties and their candidates are enjoined to abide by the extant laws governing campaigns.”

The statement however recalled that “at the briefing held on Saturday, 16th February, 2019 at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), the commission gave reasons for re-scheduling the polls and released a new schedule of activities leading up to the elections.”

According to Mr Okoye, “The commission has also worked out in detail, concrete steps to be taken to ensure that election materials arrive at the polling units in good time for prompt commencement of the polls on Saturday, 23rd February 2019.”

He further stated that “An update will be provided by the Commission at a press conference on Tuesday, 19th February at the Abuja International Conference Centre by 3pm.”

In expressing INEC’s appreciation to all “Nigerians for their understanding regarding the rescheduling of the elections”, Okoye urged all stakeholders to be dispassionate and circumspect in their comments, adding; “The Commission is focusing on the elections to be held on 23, February and 9, March to ensure that they are free, fair and credible. We urge all Nigerians to participate fully in the elections, notwithstanding the disappointment.”