Desist from campaigning, ban has not been lifted- INEC tells politicians

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, politicians have been warned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to desist from campaigning, as the ban on campaigns has not yet been lifted, Vanguard reports.

The warning was issued by the Commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with newsmen.

He stated: “Let me warn political parties and aspirants, we have not released the schedule of activities for the elections.

“Anything that anybody does is illegal before the law. They should wait for the time table of the elections.”

Section 99 of the Electoral Act 201 (as amended), states: “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

Upon conviction, anyone found guilty of contravening the law would be liable to a maximum fine of N500,000.