The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it currently has no legal authority to punish politicians and political parties engaging in premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Wednesday, September 10, in Abuja during a roundtable themed “The Challenges of Premature Political Campaigns in Nigeria” organised by the Commission.
Yakubu explained that although Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 clearly states that campaigns should not begin earlier than 150 days before polling, the law does not provide sanctions for offenders.
This loophole, he said, has tied INEC’s hands.
The only punishment contained in Section 94(2) of the Act applies to campaigns conducted within 24 hours to polling day, with a maximum fine of ₦500,000.
Yakubu described the penalty as too light to discourage violations.
He said, “The law prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling day and stipulates that all campaigns must end 24 hours before that day.
The aim is to ensure governance takes priority over electioneering.
Unfortunately, political parties and their supporters remain in campaign mode even when INEC has not released the timetable.”
According to him, outdoor adverts, media campaigns, and political rallies across the country already promote parties and candidates in violation of the law.
He warned that these early campaigns undermine INEC’s ability to monitor campaign finance, since huge sums are being spent outside the official window.
Yakubu admitted that Nigerians expect INEC, as regulator of political parties, to intervene.
However, he stressed that the law itself remains the main obstacle.
“There are no sanctions for campaigns that start earlier than 150 days before an election. This absence of penalties has emboldened politicians to flout the law,” he said.
The INEC boss emphasised that criminalising premature campaigns was necessary to protect Nigeria’s democratic process.
He expressed hope that the ongoing review of electoral laws by the National Assembly would address the gap.
Yakubu noted that the Commission had invited the leadership of the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters to the roundtable, alongside stakeholders such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
He also commended the presence of former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, who shared his experience as keynote speaker.
He concluded that unless stronger sanctions are introduced, premature campaigns will continue to weaken governance and erode the credibility of elections.
