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  • News - North Central - FCT
  • Updated: September 26, 2022

2023: INEC Warns Political Parties Against Slanderous Language

2023: INEC Warns Political Parties Against Slanderous Langua

INEC

Ahead of the commencement of political campaigns on Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged political parties against slanderous language.

The Chairman INEC, Mahmood Yakubu  urged registered political parties to be mindful of the  languages used during their campaigns, especially against their oppositions.

Yakubu advised the parties to critically study the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act, the Police Act, and the Public Order Act for the proper and peaceful conduct of political campaigns, rallies and processions.

The INEC Chairman made this known on Monday in his remarks at a two-day Capacity Building Workshop for INEC Press Corps on Critical issues in the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Commission’s Processes, Innovations, and Preparations for the 2023 General Elections.

INEC, in line with the guideline for the 2023 general elections, is expected to lift the ban on political campaigns on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

Represented by the National Commissioner INEC, Festus Okoye, Yakubu noted that campaigns should be geared towards delivering what the politicians would do when voted in and not to spite the opposition parties.

“We urge all the 18 registered political parties to critically study and pay attention to the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Police Act and the Public Order Act for the proper and peaceful conduct of political campaigns, rallies and processions. 

"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.

"Let me also remind the media of their constitutional and legal obligations," Yabuku said.

Yakubu who described the workshop as timely advised the press to provide equal coverage and visibility to all political parties, noting that the media is an indispensable partner in the electoral process and they provide a veritable platform and pathway for the dissemination of electoral information to the Nigerian public.

“This workshop is timely as preparations for the conduct of the 2023 general election, which is just 152 days away, has reached an advanced and critical stage.

"It is therefore important for the media, especially the INEC Press Corp, to have a good knowledge and understanding of the workings and operations of the Commission.

“State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.

"In other words, equal coverage and visibility shall be allotted to all political parties by all public print and electronic media organisations. The same applies in equal measure to private-owned media organizations subject to payment of appropriate fees.

“The INEC Press Corps is an indispensable partner in the electoral process and they provide a veritable platform and pathway for the dissemination of electoral information to the Nigerian public,” he expressed.

 

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