The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it shall henceforth take necessary action against associations, corporate bodies, individuals, political parties, media or such communication agencies, social media, candidates/aspirants who contravene the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (As amended) and/or Electoral Act 2010 (As amended) on public campaign/rally and procession.

This was contained in a statement by the Commissioned credited to the Secretary to its, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, entitled, “Caution On Illegal Public Political Broadcast And Campaign” and addressed to all National Chairmen of registered political parties, corporate entities, associations and the general public. In the statement, the Commission said its attention had been drawn to the insistent illegal campaigns carried out by Associations, Corporate entities, Individuals, Public and Private Media and other Communication Agencies in the country in contravention of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) and the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended) on limitation of political broadcasts.

Quoting Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010  (As Amended), the Commission stressed that the Act prohibited broadcast and political campaign earlier than ninety (90) days before polling day.

The statement also stated that relevant extracts of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended) have since been reproduced and circulated by the Commission at public places, to media outfits, the Ministry of Information, National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Communication Commission (NCC) Head-quarters of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Headquarters of State, FCT, Local Government Area offices of INEC and the Federal Ministry of Environment for their information and proper guidance.