Campaigns: INEC issues guidelines to political parties on use of language

* Cautions office holders on abuse of incumbency power

* Reminds media of Constitutional obligations

By Jon Egie

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has issued guidelines on how political parties are to engage and behave as they carry out their campaigns which commence tomorrow.

The Commission warned that a political message or slogan by a political party must not be tainted with abusive language, directly or indirectly and such that is likely to injure the feelings of religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional groups.

INEC also cautioned against use of intemperate, slanderous, base language or innuendos designed to provoke violent reactions or emotions in political campaigns.

Political office holders, including governors, were also warned not to use the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties access to public facilities for campaigns pointing out that such illegal action would attract sanction in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

The guidelines were handed down to political parties by the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, during a sensitization forum for broadcasters and stakeholders on fair and responsible coverage of the 2023 general elections, organized by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Abuja, yesterday.

According to Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2022 defines the responsibilities of political parties and candidates, the media and public institutions and also provides sanctions for violations.

He urged all registered 18 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.

Also speaking during the occasion, INEC Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye reminded the media of their constitutional obligations saying State apparatus, including State owned media organizations/houses should not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.

“Equal coverage and visibility shall be allotted to all political parties by all public print and electronic media organizations and the same applies in equal measure to privately owned organizations subject to payment of appropiate fees.” Okoye said.