INEC issues guidelines on how much to spend on campaigns

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the publication and release of the guidelines for political campaigns and the election expenses of political parties, candidates and aspirants.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday by Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner and spokesman.

“The commission approved the publication and release of the guidelines for the conduct of political rallies, processions and campaigns, as well as that of finances and election expenses of political parties, candidates and aspirants,” Mr Okoye said.

Mr Okoye added that INEC uploaded the two documents to its website and social media handles, while copies would be made available to political parties, civil society groups, the media and other critical stakeholders.

He reminded political parties of their obligation to submit the required reports to the commission in accordance with the provisions of section 90(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the applicable sanctions for failure to comply as provided in Section 89(4) of the act.

Mr Okoye also disclosed that the commission also approved the reappointment of the secretary of the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, an Edo indigene, for a second and final term of four years, with effect from December 7, in accordance with section 8 of the Electoral Act.

She is the second female secretary of the commission and the first to have her tenure renewed.

She is a long-term staff of the commission and has served as public affairs officer, assistant director (information and publicity), deputy director (voter education) and director (civil societies liaison).

Section 88 of the Electoral Act provides that “the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential election shall not exceed N5,000,000,000.”

The maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate in respect of governorship election “shall not exceed N1,000,000,000.”

The act stipulates that “no individual or other entity shall donate to a candidate more than N50,000,000.”

(NAN)