In about two days, hence, precisely September 28, 2022, political parties will officially kickstart electioneering ahead of the February and March elections next year.
Though arguments have subsisted that immediately after due nominations of candidates for the various elective offices, political parties and their candidates should be allowed to begin campaigns as they have always embarked on visits and hosting of meetings of various individuals and groups.
However, the law is the law and until there is a review of the Electoral Act 2022 which stipulates 150 days before the general elections, nothing can be done by the Independent National Electoral Commission in this regard.
Even before the official whistle for campaigns to start, the fireworks have almost reached febrile pitch and it will only blow over. It is for this and many other reasons that it has become expedient to revert the minds of the political parties, candidates and supporters to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 to political campaigns.
Owing to the verbal missiles and disturbing communication warfare that could undermine the core issues of governance, it is important that all involved in the electoral process and campaigns take note of Section 92 of the Electoral Act which makes it mandatory that “a political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings”.
It further states in Subsection 2 that, “abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or insinuations or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.
Added to that is the use of religious grounds for politicking. Over the past election cycles, political gladiators have used Churches and Mosques as playgrounds for their campaigns. Bad news for them. The Electoral Act 2022 forbids the use of religious centres – Churches and Mosques – for campaigns.
Section 92, subsection “Subsection 3 states that “places designated for religious worship, police stations and public offices shall not be used for political campaigns, rallies and processions; or to promote, propagate or attack political parties, candidates or their programmes or ideologies”.
In a country that has been witness to the scourge of election violence, it is enriching to note that the Electoral Act seeks to address that cankerworm.
For too long politicians have been found to arm and equip militias and thugs to cause mayhem during elections.
Now, Section 92(5) of the Act says “A political party, aspirant or candidate of a political party shall not retain, organise, train or equip any person or group of persons for the purpose of enabling them to be employed for the use or display of physical force or coercion in promoting any political objective or interests, or in such manner as to arouse reasonable apprehension that they are organised, trained or equipped for that purpose.”
Wit this provision, the security agencies and the police in particular need not wait for any further directive to act impartially and decisively in dealing with any situation that contravenes the section of the Electoral Act.
While by no means these sections and subsections are not exhaustive, it is timely reminder to all the political parties and their candidates that 95 (1) of the Act says “A candidate and his or her party shall campaign for the elections in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be determined by the Commission” while subsection 2 says “State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.”
The onus is now on all stakeholders to be abreast of the provisions of the Electoral Act and the INEC guidelines so as to have peaceful, credible and fair elections next year. Nigeria cannot fail and nobody should act as a clog in this direction.
