INEC approves resumption of campaigns after postponing elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has finally approved the resumption of campaign by political parties after the general elections scheduled on February 16 and March 2 was shifted to February 23 and March 9 respectively.
INEC had initially disallowed the resumption of campaigns by any political party as the window for electioneering was already closed. But with the postponement of the election, parties kicked against the directive that barred them from campaigning further.
After INEC meeting on Monday, the chairman of the electoral body, Yakubu Mahmood gave a go-ahead to candidates of different political parties to resume campaign.
This decision was reached after a backlash from political parties, including APC faulted INEC’s impromptu postponement of the election, and stated that INEC has no right to stop them from campaigning as the electoral act indicates that campaigns must stop within 24 hours to the election day.
And since the election has been delayed by a week, the parties believed that they were acting within the purview of the law.
In response to the issues, the INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye announced that political parties and their candidates are at liberty to resume campaign until Thursday midnight.
“The Commission wishes to thank all Nigerians for their understanding regarding the rescheduling of the elections. We appeal to stakeholders to be dispassionate and circumspect in their comments,” Okoye said.
