2015: INEC warns politicians against overheating the polity

As battle begins for the 2015 general elections, electoral powerhouse, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned politicians against overheating the polity.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, handed this warning during the third quarterly consultative meeting held between the Commission and political parties in Abuja, Tuesday.
Jega also reminded the leaders of the parties of the provisions of Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, which limits campaign periods to 90 days before the polling day and 24 hours to election.
He said, “We inch along towards the 2015 general elections; we have been intensifying efforts to ensure full readiness in all fundamental respects. We therefore continue to solicit for your cooperation, partnership and support to ensure that we deliver free, fair and credible elections to Nigerians in 2015.
“In particular, we urge you to do everything possible to sanitise the polity. You must have an enlightened self-interest because keeping and sustaining our democracy is in the best interest of all politicians, as is for all citizens. We must avoid the temptation to throw away the baby with the bath water. You must stop overheating the polity. You must continue to promote peaceful conduct and civility in political engagements and electioneering.”

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The INEC boss said politicians must stop the use of thugs during campaigns and elections.
It would be recalled that last week, suspected political hoodlums stopped a rally where a member of the House of Representatives, Bamidele Opeyemi, was to declare his aspiration to contest the governorship position in Ekiti State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Jega also recalled that in recent bye-elections, the country witnessed disruptions in the electoral processes as caused by thuggery, saying “this must be stopped in order not to undermine our aspirations for credible and peaceful elections in 2015.”
“Let me also use this opportunity to draw your attention to the following: political parties are reminded to be mindful of the provisions of Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, which limits campaign periods to commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours to polling day. The penalty for breach is provided in Section 99(2) (a) & (b),” he added.
Speaking on the presentation of candidates for elections, he said, “INEC has received petitions against political parties that lack any presence in some states but habitually present candidates whenever bye-election is held.
“A particular example is the recent State Constituency election in Sokoto State where political parties that are virtually non-existent in the state rushed to present candidates for the bye-election. Political parties are therefore urged to support our democratic growth by retracting their quest for elective offices to areas they have institutional presence,” he added.