Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to arraign those violating rules against early campaigning to serve as deterrent to others.

Falana stated this during an appearance on Channels Television‘s Sunday Politics.

Last week, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu decried premature campaigns by political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

However, he said the commission could not punish violators as the law did not stipulate appropriate sanctions.

Yakubu, who cited Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which stipulates a 150-day campaign period, noted that “there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election. Here lies the challenge for the Commission.”

Reacting, Falana said, “The law cannot cover all situations. The lawmakers thought they were dealing with a civilised political class. No. Now that they are violating the law, it makes it a duty — empowered by the Constitution and the Electoral Act — to bring out rules and regulations.

“By the way, INEC is required to charge some of these guys before the court. Let them come to court and say, ‘Sorry, my Lord, there is no provision for punishment.’

“If you fail to comply with the order of the court, you have committed contempt and you will go to jail.”

Falana further stated that the constitution empowers INEC to draft rules and regulations to cover such lacuna.

The senior lawyer said, “Section 95 empowers INEC to draft rules and regulations.

“The Constitution, Paragraph F, Part 1, of the Constitution says to monitor campaigns in line with rules and regulations prescribed by INEC. So, INEC has not brought out rules and regulations to stop this illegality.”

The sun