The Independent National Electoral commission has released a fresh guideline for the conduct of political rallies, processions and campaign as well as that of finances and election expenses of political parties and their candidates.
The new rules now require that political parties “must issue in writing a notice to the Commissioner of Police of the State or the Federal Capital Territory indicating the exact venue and time of the rally or procession and pledging peaceful conduct and control against violence or public nuisance.”
“Political Parties shall transmit to the Commission, through the Electoral Officer at the Local Government Area and the Resident Electoral Commissioner at the State, via a designated portal and also in hard copy, details of the schedule of their political rallies and processions at least 10 days to the date of the political rally or procession. The notice shall be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Political Party.”
The new rules also barred political parties from accepting any monetary contribution above fifty million naira unless it identifies and discloses the source of the contribution to the commission.
According to the guidelines, “The maximum amount of money or other assets that an individual, a group of individuals or an entity can donate to a political party or aspirant for an election shall be N50,000,000. A Political Party shall not accept any monetary or other contribution which is more than N50,000,000 except it identifies and discloses the source of the contribution to the Commission.”
In addition, every political party is expected to notify INEC of transfers of funds sent from outside Nigeria within 21 days of receipt.
INEC is warning all political parties to comply with the new requirements or face sanctions.
The commission also approved the reappointment of Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony as the Secretary of the Commission for a second term and final term with effect from 7th December 2022. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee disclosed in a statement released along with the guidelines.
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