Current Electoral Law Limits Our Ability to Punish Politicians for Early Campaigning — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it lacks the legal authority to penalize politicians who have already begun campaigning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu expressed concern over the growing trend of premature political campaigns across the country. He noted that while the Electoral Act 2022 clearly prohibits such early activities, it falls short of providing effective sanctions to deter violators.

“Understandably, Nigerians expect INEC, as the regulator of political parties, to act in the face of these blatant breaches of the law. However, the real challenge lies in the limitations of the law itself,” Yakubu stated.

Citing Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, Yakubu explained that political campaigns are not permitted earlier than 150 days before the election. However, he pointed out that there are no specific penalties attached to this provision.

The only punitive measure outlined in Section 94(2), he said, is a fine of up to N500,000 for campaigning within 24 hours of election day leaving a significant loophole for politicians to exploit.

“In many parts of the country, we are already witnessing rallies, outdoor advertising, and media campaigns in clear violation of the legal framework. These early activities not only breach the law but also compromise our ability to monitor campaign finance limits,” Yakubu said.

He noted that INEC convened the roundtable to bring together lawmakers, political party leaders, civil society organizations, and regulatory bodies to collectively explore solutions.

“As the National Assembly continues its review of the Electoral Act, we have invited the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters. We believe they will seriously consider practical recommendations coming out of this forum,” Yakubu added.

Also speaking at the event, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Institute, Abdullahi Zuru, described premature campaigning as one of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral system.

He highlighted how political actors increasingly use religious and cultural gatherings, branded vehicles, billboards, and even social media influencers to subtly campaign ahead of schedule.

“When candidates and parties rush to dominate the political space long before the official campaign period, it undermines fairness, raises the cost of political engagement, and distracts elected officials from their duties,” Zuru warned.

He further emphasized that such trends erode public trust in the electoral process and foster skepticism about the enforcement of democratic norms.

“There is an urgent need to refine our regulatory framework. In this digital age, we must define clearly what constitutes early campaigning and introduce enforceable consequences,” Zuru concluded.

The roundtable is part of INEC’s broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s electoral process in advance of the 2027 general election.