Ahead of the Edo and Ondo State governorship elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians against using religious centres for political campaigns.

The commission, while warning against campaign in public places such as police stations, enjoined incumbent governors in the two states not to use incumbency powers to deny opponents access to public facilities.

These positions were contained in the guidelines for conduct of political activities, procession and campaigns released by the commission, yesterday.

While the Edo governorship election is slated for September 21, the Ondo poll will be held on November 16, 2024. For conducts not permissible during political campaigns, the guidelines stated: “No person attending a political campaign shall be in possession of any offensive weapon, except a police officer or a member of a security agency authorised to carry arms and is specifically posted to be present at that political campaign.

“No political campaign shall hold in places designated as religious centres, police stations and public offices. Political campaign shall not involve the use of abusive languages or any form of hate speech.

“State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate in any election.”

The National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, in a statement accompanying the guidelines, lamented that over the years, a recurring problem in Nigeria’s electioneering process has been the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities for rallies and other campaign activities. He also noted that incumbent governors impose excessive levies and fees for outdoor and media advertising.

“Specifically, or the avoidance of doubt, the commission wishes to reiterate that Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of state apparatus to “the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.

“Furthermore, under Section 95(3-5), it is obligatory for public media houses to allot equal coverage and visibility to all parties and candidates. Section 95(6) provides sanctions against heads of public media organisations, their principal officers, and other officials for contravention,” he stated.