The independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned politicians in Ondo State against early campaigns saying political campaigns remain ban in the state.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje issued the warning at a stakeholders meeting with representatives of political parties in the state held on Thursday at the commission's headquarters in Akure.
Mr Agbaje said the warning was against the backdrop of increased mounting of campaign billboards, banners and posters of aspirants that have flooded the nooks and crannies of the sunshine state.
The REC reminded political parties and politicians of the provision of section 99 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which stipulates that 'campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day' threatens that the commission would not hesitate to apply necessary sanctions as provided by the law.
"Political parties are hereby advised to note that allowing any aspirant to use their respective platforms to engage in any form of campaign or 'subtle trick' in defiance of the provision of section 99 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) is a gross violation of the law and INEC will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against culprits in accordance with relevant sections of the law", he warned.
Mr agbaje revealed that INEC has line up series of activities to ensure the success of the governorship election scheduled to hold later in the year.
This according to him include continuous voter registration, delimitation of electoral constituencies, distribution of permanent voter cards, voter education and monitoring of political parties activities.
He explained that the continuous voter registration would capture those who turned 18 years after the last exercise in 2014, those whose names are missing in INEC's database as well as those whose fingerprints or photograph were not properly captured during the general registration.
He said the commission would scale up its enlightenment strategies through regular meetings with stakeholders, road shows and the media to boost voters' participation in electoral process.
While underscoring the contributions of stakeholders in conducting free, fair and credible elections, the REC urged political parties to provide platforms for educating their members.
Condemning the violence that trailed the last general elections in some parts of the state which he said claimed the lives of three people and left many injured including INEC's adhoc staff, Mr Agbaje revealed that the electoral body would work with all stakeholders in the identified areas to prevent a recurrence of such.
He said: "In respect of the advocate of peaceful elections in Ondo state, INEC has planned to partner with party leaders, especially at Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Ondo East, Idanre and some parts of Owo and Ose Local Government Areas where we had some very violent and mild electoral disturbances during the last elections in the state.
We intend to have very serious voter education outings in various shades in those areas to let our people know that we do not need violence to elect credible leaders. Ondo state has had its fair share of electoral violence since 1983 crisis. It is therefore time to put a stop to this shameful and unacceptable act of a few elements among us".
The meeting was to keep the party leaders abreast of the commission's activities in preparation for the October 2016 governorship poll. It was attended by representatives of some political parties in the state as well as Electoral Officers in the 18 council areas.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje issued the warning at a stakeholders meeting with representatives of political parties in the state held on Thursday at the commission's headquarters in Akure.
Mr Agbaje said the warning was against the backdrop of increased mounting of campaign billboards, banners and posters of aspirants that have flooded the nooks and crannies of the sunshine state.
The REC reminded political parties and politicians of the provision of section 99 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which stipulates that 'campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day' threatens that the commission would not hesitate to apply necessary sanctions as provided by the law.
"Political parties are hereby advised to note that allowing any aspirant to use their respective platforms to engage in any form of campaign or 'subtle trick' in defiance of the provision of section 99 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) is a gross violation of the law and INEC will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against culprits in accordance with relevant sections of the law", he warned.
Mr agbaje revealed that INEC has line up series of activities to ensure the success of the governorship election scheduled to hold later in the year.
This according to him include continuous voter registration, delimitation of electoral constituencies, distribution of permanent voter cards, voter education and monitoring of political parties activities.
He explained that the continuous voter registration would capture those who turned 18 years after the last exercise in 2014, those whose names are missing in INEC's database as well as those whose fingerprints or photograph were not properly captured during the general registration.
He said the commission would scale up its enlightenment strategies through regular meetings with stakeholders, road shows and the media to boost voters' participation in electoral process.
While underscoring the contributions of stakeholders in conducting free, fair and credible elections, the REC urged political parties to provide platforms for educating their members.
Condemning the violence that trailed the last general elections in some parts of the state which he said claimed the lives of three people and left many injured including INEC's adhoc staff, Mr Agbaje revealed that the electoral body would work with all stakeholders in the identified areas to prevent a recurrence of such.
He said: "In respect of the advocate of peaceful elections in Ondo state, INEC has planned to partner with party leaders, especially at Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Ondo East, Idanre and some parts of Owo and Ose Local Government Areas where we had some very violent and mild electoral disturbances during the last elections in the state.
We intend to have very serious voter education outings in various shades in those areas to let our people know that we do not need violence to elect credible leaders. Ondo state has had its fair share of electoral violence since 1983 crisis. It is therefore time to put a stop to this shameful and unacceptable act of a few elements among us".
The meeting was to keep the party leaders abreast of the commission's activities in preparation for the October 2016 governorship poll. It was attended by representatives of some political parties in the state as well as Electoral Officers in the 18 council areas.
