Electoral Act loopholes prevent punishing early campaigns — INEC Chair, Yakubu

...As rallies, billboards, social media Fuel premature campaigning nationwide
...Appeals to N’Assembly for urgent legislative reform

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned that Nigeria’s current electoral laws leave it unable to sanction politicians engaging in premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.

The warning was issued on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ roundtable on early political activity, held in Abuja.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, explained that although section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling, the legislation fails to prescribe any punishment for violators.

“Quite correctly, Nigerians expect INEC, as registrar and regulator of political parties, to act in the face of the brazen breach of the law on early campaign. However, the major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” Yakubu said.

He noted that the only penalty available is a fine of up to N500,000 for campaigns conducted within 24 hours to polling day. Describing this as “entirely insufficient,” he said the provision is out of step with the scale and brazenness of early campaign activities already underway.

Yakubu pointed out that politicians and their supporters across the country are staging rallies, erecting billboards, and sponsoring media adverts in defiance of the law. “Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns and even rallies promoting various political parties and candidates. These actions and activities undermine the commission’s ability to track campaign finance limits,” he warned.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Institute, Abdullahi Zuru, added that early campaigns are a significant threat to Nigeria’s democracy. According to him, aspirants increasingly exploit cultural festivals, religious gatherings, branded vehicles, billboards, and social media influencers to push their messages long before the official campaign season begins.

“When aspirants compete for visibility long before the official campaign period, it distorts fairness, raises the cost of political competition, distracts elected officials from governance, and erodes public confidence in the system,” Zuru said.

He stressed the need for a more precise regulatory framework that clearly defines premature campaigning within Nigeria’s fast-changing digital and media landscape.

Yakubu explained that the roundtable was designed to generate practical solutions and engage lawmakers as the National Assembly continues its review of the electoral laws.

“As the National Assembly is currently reviewing our electoral laws, the commission has also invited the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives committees on electoral matters. I am confident that they will give due consideration to actionable recommendations,” he added.