The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties against abusive language and acts likely to provoke violence or emotions in their campaigns for the 2023 general election.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the warning while speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity workshop for members of INEC Press Corps on critical issues in the Electoral Act, 2022 in preparations for the 2023 general election in Lagos on Monday.
Yakubu, who was represented by the INEC National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, urged all registered political parties to critically study and pay attention to the provisions of laws for proper and peaceful conduct of political campaigns, rallies and processions.
The laws according to Yakubu included the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Police Act, and the Public Order Act.
He said: “A political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.
“Abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.”
Speaking on activities toward the 2023 general election, Yakubu said eight out of the 14 items on INEC calendar and schedule of activities including the release of the final list of candidates nominated for national election have been implemented.
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He said INEC would release the final list of candidates nominated in relation to state elections on October 4, adding: “On September 28 presidential and National Assembly campaigns will start, while that of governorship and State Assembly candidates will start on October 12.
“The commission will continue to adhere to set timelines in carrying out its activities.”
Yakubu stated that INEC has devoted time and energy to the cleaning up of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
“This process is almost finalised and the commission will engage with stakeholders relating to its findings before displaying the register for claims and objections as required by law.
“Furthermore, the commission is working out a protocol for seamless collection of Permanent Voters Cards by valid registrants,” he said.
Yakubu assured that INEC would deploy and continue to deploy appropriate technology for conduct of elections, saying: “The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IreV) will be deployed for the conduct of the 2023 general election.
“We will continue to use technology to improve and enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria.
“Our goal is electoral justice where every Nigerian will experience electoral fulfilment,” he said.
Yakubu described the workshop as timely, saying preparations for the 2023 general election have reached advantage stage with only 152 days away.
He said it was important for the media, especially the INEC Press Corps to have a good knowledge and understanding of the workings and operations of the commission.
The INC boss said that was necessary for an informed and balanced coverage of the commission’s activities and the dissemination of information to the general public.
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