Edo Poll: INEC Warn Aspirants, Parties Against Campaigns

Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has vowed to sanction aspirants and political parties who continue to campaign when it was yet to kick-off.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Mr. Anugbum Onuoha gave the warning on Monday in Benin City, capital of Edo State, added that the commission was yet to lift suspension on campaign, as parties and candidates were expected to begin campaigning on April 24.

He said political parties were not expected to campaign publicly for the primary election as it is an internal affair of the parties.

According to him, the practice was not inline with INEC timetable, urging those involved to put a stop to it, adding that all the political parties and aspirants to pull down billboard, signpost as well as adverts on television and newspapers.

The REC said, “I am calling on the aspirants and the 16 political parties that will take part in the September 21 election to comply with the timetable of the election. They are not suppose to campaign publicly for the primary election. It is against the law.

“I will urge them to pull down their banners, billboard and stop running jingles on radio. They should also stop on television and newspapers. If they do not comply with this directive, we would have no other option than to sanction them.”

He said the role of INEC in primary election is to monitor and supervise proceedings and are not expected to announce results as primary is mainly an internal affair of the parties.

Onuoha said his duty is to report and send to the headquarters of the commission, adding, “we were present at the APC primary election.  We saw what happened and we will present our report to Abuja.”