2027: INEC Regrets Lack of Power to Curb Early Political Campaigns

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again voiced concerns over its inability to take firm action against political parties, aspirants, and their supporters who launch campaigns before the legally approved period.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, expressed this concern during a roundtable discussion hosted by the Commission under the theme “Challenges of Premature Political Campaigns.”

According to Yakubu, although the Electoral Act 2022 clearly sets fines of up to ₦500,000 for campaigns carried out within 24 hours of an election, there is currently no penalty for campaigns that begin before the 150-day window mandated by law.

He highlighted that Section 94(1) of the Act specifically prohibits political campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling day and requires them to stop 24 hours before election day. The purpose of this provision, he explained, is to ensure governance is prioritized over continuous electioneering.

Despite these legal frameworks, the INEC chairman lamented that candidates and political parties remain in constant campaign mode, often long before the Commission officially releases an election timetable.

“Across the country, we see billboards, outdoor adverts, rallies, and media promotions from aspirants and political groups,” Yakubu explained. “Such premature activities undermine our ability to effectively monitor campaign finance, as huge sums are spent outside the official campaign window.”

He further stressed that Nigerians expect INEC, as both the regulator and registrar of political parties, to step in and address the persistent violations of early campaigning laws. However, the Commission’s biggest obstacle lies within the law itself.

Yakubu pointed to Section 94(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, which only allows for mild sanctions — a fine of not more than ₦500,000 — for campaigns conducted 24 hours before polling day. Unfortunately, no legal penalties exist for campaigns that occur earlier than 150 days to an election.

“This legal gap remains a major challenge for the Commission in curbing premature campaigns by political parties, aspirants, and their loyalists,” he noted.

The INEC chairman emphasized that this issue is not entirely new, as past electoral cycles have also faced similar challenges. The Commission’s limited authority and the weakness of existing legal frameworks have made it difficult to enforce discipline. This, he said, calls for collective reflection and reform.

It was on this basis that INEC convened the roundtable, bringing together legislators, political party leaders, civil society representatives, practitioners, and regulatory agencies to deliberate on possible solutions.

Yakubu also confirmed that since the National Assembly is currently reviewing Nigeria’s electoral laws, INEC has extended invitations to the leadership of both the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters.

He expressed confidence that lawmakers, alongside contributions from experts, political party leaders, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), will provide actionable reforms.

Concluding his remarks, the INEC chairman reiterated that safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral integrity and strengthening democracy is not the job of INEC alone but a responsibility that requires input from multiple stakeholders