The electoral body in Edo state has issued a stern warning to political parties and their aspirants to abide by the electoral law and refrain from campaigning in public before the official date.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo said on Friday that it had observed with dismay the flagrant violation of the electoral law by some political parties and their aspirants, who had erected campaign billboards, posters and jingles being aired on television and radio stations in the state.

INEC said the warning was because the ban on election campaigns had not been lifted.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha, disclosed this at an Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Benin.

The ICCES meeting, which was co-chaired by the state INEC REC and the state Commissioner of Police, Funso Adegboye, had in attendance heads of other security agencies in the state.

Political Parties Flouting Electoral Law

Speaking further, Onuoha said “lf you look at the Edo election timetable, it says that commencement of campaign in public by political parties will be on April 24.

“But what is happening in this state right now, is that all the political parties are campaigning in public not private.

“If you go round the town, you see campaign billboards, posters and jingles of aspirants not even candidates.

“We have held a meeting with the Inter-Party Advisory Council Nigeria (IPAC) in Edo on this issue but they have clearly not stopped.

“So I thought I should bring the issue here for us to proffer collective solutions so that nobody will be accused of supporting party A or B,” he said.

According to him, “we are going to hold a press conference to inform the general public and the political parties that what is happening is in total violation of the electoral law.

“And INEC will not fail to sanction any party which goes ahead to campaign after the warning,” he added.

Security Agencies Urge NOA to Educate the Public

Also speaking, the co-chair of ICCES and the state Commissioner of Police, Funso Adegboye, also emphasized the need for political parties to play by the rules.

Adegboye urged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to be alive to its responsibility by carrying out enlightenment campaigns on election matters to make their work easier.

“NOA, please educate the people and let them know that there will be sanctions for people that engage in election violence and those who go against the electoral law.

“I have read the electoral law and our job have been made much easier. So we know what to do. “On the campaigns that have started in the state, we should all ensure that we call the political parties and their aspirants to order,” he said.

According to him, those campaign billboards, posters and jingles should be pulled down since it is not time for campaigns.

The Edo election, scheduled for September 21, 2024, is expected to be a keenly contested one, as the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, faces a stiff challenge from his former ally and predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, who is now the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also hoping to capitalize on the APC crisis and wrest power from the ruling party.

The PDP has yet to announce its candidate for the election, but some of the aspirants include former governor Lucky Igbinedion, former minister Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and former deputy governor Mike Ogiadomhe.

The people of Edo state have expressed their desire to have a peaceful, free and fair election that will reflect their will and choice.

Source: Vanguard