INEC approves resumption of political campaigns

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says political parties can resume their campaigns ahead of the rescheduled elections.

The commission gave the directive after its meeting in Abuja on Monday.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, had earlier said no resumption of campaign activities despite the postponement of the presidential and national assembly elections by one week.

But after a meeting on Monday, the commission said political parties and candidates can continue campaign activities till Thursday midnight.

“Media organisations are at liberty to accept, publish, broadcast and circulate campaign materials up till midnight of Thursday,” the commission said in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, its director of voter education and publicity.

“Political Parties and their candidates are enjoined to abide by the extant laws governing campaigns.

“The Commission wishes to thank all Nigerians for their understanding regarding the rescheduling of the elections. We appeal to stakeholders to be dispassionate and circumspect in their comments.”

INEC’s decision comes at a time most political parties including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) insisted they were proceeding with campaigns.

The parties argued that the commission did not have right to stop them from campaigning, as the electoral act states campaigns stop “24 hours to election day”.