The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned political parties and politicians in Gombe State against not exceeding the approved campaign finances.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the INEC head of voter education and publicity, Nuhu Ibrahim, on behalf of the Administrative Secretary, the commission promised to track campaign funds using trained staff.
Ibrahim said, “Furthermore, candidates are advised to strictly comply with the limits on election expenses contained in section 88 of the Electoral Act 2022 as the Commission will deploy its trained staff for campaign finance tracking activities.”
While urging political actors about the need for peaceful co-existence, INEC also sought hate-free comments to entrench a rancor-free environment.
Ibrahim said, “As the ban on campaigns in public by political parties is lifted on Wednesday 28th September 2022, pursuant to section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 9 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission Gombe State wishes to draw the attention of political parties/candidates in the State on the need for peaceful and rancor free campaigns.
“Sections 92 & 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 are clear on conduct prohibited during campaigns. Political parties/candidates are to ensure that campaigns are not ‘tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings’.
“The use of slanderous or base language likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions, attack or use of force on opposition parties/candidates or their programmes, employment and equipping of armed groups and violent activities of any kind during campaigns are prohibited.”
INEC also called on electorates to collect their Permanent Voters Card, stressing that it remained the authentic visa to participating in elections.
He said, “The Commission equally wishes to call on all those who registered from July 2021 to 14th January 2022 and those who requested for transfer, update or replacement of lost or damaged PVC from July 2021 to 30th June 2022 in Gombe State to visit the INEC LGA Office where their PUs are located to collect their PVCs so they can participate in the elections.”
