Alhambra Guber: INEC Circulates Guidelines
Ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has circulated guidelines to the poll.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee of the commission, Festus Okoye, communicated this, stressing that the guidelines must be strictly adhered to by politicians.
The commission had in the guidelines instructed politicians and political parties not to use inflammatory language, which will promote violence and breaching public peace.
According to INEC, “Political parties must conduct their campaigns with civility and the best tradition of democratic ethos. Political campaigns or slogans shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.
“Abusive, intemperate, slanderous, or base language or insinuations or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.
“Political parties are reminded that places designated for religious workshops, police stations, and public offices shall not be used for political campaigns, rallies and processions”, Okoye said.
He stated that COVID-19 protocols must be observed in the campaign arena as the country is still battling the global pandemic.
“Political parties and candidates are required to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 protocol contained in the statement released by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Friday 30th, July 2021.
“The use of face masks, observance of hand hygiene and the restriction of any enclosed venues to 50% of its installed capacity (while observing the two metres distance) is mandatory.
“Parties must also be guided by the INEC policy on the conduct of political events and the Code of Conduct for Voters and Political Parties within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic”, Okoye said.
